Theresa May says she’s ‘sickened’ by van massacre as world rallies around Barcelona in wake of terrorist atrocity

THERESA May has said the UK "stands with Spain against terror" following the depraved van attack in Barcelona which killed at least 13 people and injured 100.

The British Prime Minister condemned the "terrible" assault in which a white van mounted the pavement of the famous Las Ramblas tourist area of the Catalan capital and struck several innocent victims.

She joined other world leaders who reacted to the horrifying events that unfolded in the Spanish city at around 5pm local time on Thursday.

In a written statement, May said: "I am sickened by the senseless loss of life in Barcelona today.

"The Foreign Office is working to establish if any British nationals were involved in this appalling incident and we are in close contact with the authorities in Spain, who have our full support.

"Following the attacks in Manchester and London, Spain stood alongside the British people."Tonight, Britain stands with Spain against the evil of terrorism."

She added: "My thoughts are with the victims of today’s terrible attack in Barcelona and the emergency services responding to this ongoing incident.

"The UK stands with Spain against terror."

The deadly assault in the Spanish city comes months after a similar atrocity on London Bridge and Westminster Bridge in the heart of London.

Foreign secretary Boris Johnson also expressed his condolences on Twitter.

He wrote: "Concerned and saddened by #Barcelona attack. Our thoughts are with those affected.

"Doing all we can to identify whether Brits need help."

Sadiq Khan added: "My thoughts are with the victims of this barbaric terrorist attack in the great city of Barcelona and with their brave emergency services.

"London stands with Barcelona against the evil of terrorism."

A number of other high-profile figures also voiced support for the Barcelona victims.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: "Terrible reports from Barcelona. My thoughts are with those killed and injured, and the emergency services working to save lives."

Barcelona FC said it was "deeply saddened" by the attack, while their rivals Real Madrid expressed "solidarity with the victims and their families and friends".

Former England striker Gary Lineker, who played for Barcelona for three seasons from 1986-89, tweeted: "Deeply saddened to hear about the attack in the wonderful city of Barcelona. What purpose this barbarity serves is beyond comprehension."

Meanwhile, US president Donald Trump wrote on Twitter: "The United States condemns the terror attack in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!"

His wife US First Lady Melania Trump wrote: "Thoughts and prayers to #Barcelona."

• WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
• A van hit a crowd in the tourist hotpsot Las Ramblas in Barcelona, an area packed with people, at around 5pm on Thursday
• Thirteen people have died and 100 more were injured in the attack
• At least 18 nationalities are among the victims, Spain's civil protection agency said
• Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said van attack result of "jihadist terrorism"
• The driver of the vehicle was seen fleeing on foot and a manhunt is underway
• At least two men have been arrested in connection with the attack, but neither were the driver of the vehicle, cops said
• A driver later ran into two officers at a Barcelona police checkpoint - but police say it was not linked to the Las Ramblas attack
• Officials are linking the van attack with an explosion that killed one person at a house 124 miles away from Las Ramblas on Wednesday
• ISIS has said it carried out the van attack, according to its Amaq agency
• Seven people are injured and five terrorists have been killed in a second terror attack in Cambrils
• The bloodshed erupted in the early hours of Friday in the resort town located 70 miles south of the earlier attack

Police confirmed that they have arrested two people in connection with the attack but they are still hunting the driver of the vehicle, who is said to have fled on foot.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said the van attack was "jihadist terrorism" which required a global response.

He told a news conference in Barcelona: "Today the fight against terrorism is the principal priority for free and open societies like ours. It is a global threat and the response has to be global."

The Foreign Office has issued advice to tourists to "stay inside and away from Las Ramblas" and wait for police to say it is safe to move.

It said it was in contact with local authorities.

The British Foreign Office guidance for Spain reads: "Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Spain."Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.

"Spanish police have disrupted a number of groups suspected of recruiting individuals to travel to Syria and Iraq from 2015 to the present date.

"Some of them expressed an intention to carry out attacks in Europe.

"There’s a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria."

Did you see what happened in Barcelona? Are you in the Las Ramblas area now? Please get in touch with us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.'