Spain terror attacks: World leaders express sympathy, solidarity
World leaders expressed their condolences and resolve to fight terrorism after two terror attacks in the Catalonia region of northeastern Spain killed at least 14 people in less than 24 hours.
A van plowed into Las Ramblas, a busy street in Barcelona that was full of tourists Thursday evening, killing 13 people including at least one American. Early Friday, a car drove into pedestrians in Cambrils, a beach town about 75 miles to the south, in an incident thought to be linked to the van attack. Spanish police shot dead five suspects who exited the car.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the van attack.
Pope Francis sent a telegram of condolence to Cardinal Juan José Omella, the archbishop of Barcelona, on Friday in which he condemned “blind violence,” describing it as “a grave offense to the Creator,” Vatican Radio reported.
He offered his support to the injured, their families and to all of Catalan and Spanish society in “these moments of sorrow and pain."
The pope “raises prayers to the most High that He help us continue to work with determination for peace and harmony in the world,” the telegram said.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to King Felipe VI of Spain and his sympathy to the families and friends of the victims. He also wished the injured a swift recovery.
“We resolutely denounce this cruel and cynical crime against civilians. This attack shows once again the need to pool the efforts of the entire international community in the uncompromising fight against the forces of terror,” Putin said in a statement Friday.
President Trump tweeted Thursday: "The United States condemns the terror attack in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!"
British Prime Minister Theresa May said she was “sickened by the senseless loss of life.”
The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office confirmed Friday that a ‘”small number” of Britons were injured in the attack. May told Sky News that her government is “urgently looking into reports of a child believed to be missing, who is a British dual national.”
Britain has fallen victim to two similar attacks in recent months. In June, attackers plowed their vehicle into pedestrians on London Bridge and went on a stabbing spree at a nearby food market, killing eight people. It followed another attack in March when an assailant drove into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, killing four people, before fatally stabbing a policeman outside the nearby Houses of Parliament.
A suicide bombing at a concert by U.S. pop star Ariana Grande in Manchester, northern England, in May killed 22 people.
“Following the attacks in Manchester and London, Spain stood alongside the British people,” May said in her statement Thursday. “Tonight, Britain stands with Spain against the evil of terrorism.”
“Solidarity with #Barcelona. We are by your side,” tweeted French President Emmanuel Macron in Spanish Thursday. His nation has been the victim of a series of devastating terror attacks over the past few years.
“France pays a heavy price in this terrible attack of #Barcelona. Full support to victims, their families and their loved ones,” he tweeted in French on Friday.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he “strongly condemned” the attack. Turkish media reported that a businessman from the country was injured.