'Defiant' Las Ramblas reopens as Barcelona unites in wake of terror attack
Las Ramblas reopened this morning in a show of “defiance” following the atrocious terror attack, as Barcelona residents united to help those affected.
Stallholders opened for business as usual along the main artery of the city where terrorists killed 13 people and injured scores of others less than 24 hours earlier.
Lawyer and University of Glasgow rector Aamer Anwar, who witnessed the attack, said many cafes, restaurants, shops and stalls reopened this morning.
"Life seems to be going back very quickly to normality," he told the Press Association.
This morning it looks to be business as usual on Las Ramblas. Still plenty of police about but shops and cafes are open. pic.twitter.com/nZ0zdvTkv1
— Hannah Al-Othman �� (@HannahAlOthman) August 18, 2017
Las Ramblas buzzing again this morning after yesterday's deadly terrorist attack in Barcelona @abcnews@abc730pic.twitter.com/g1sPeriz7V
— David Sciasci (@davidsciasci) August 18, 2017
Las Ramblas this morning. Pedestrian area open again. #Barcelona@cgtnamerica@CGTNOfficialpic.twitter.com/zbK058Fbob
— Daniel Williams (@Danielclearcut) August 18, 2017
"Shop owners are opening up, stalls are back out on the street, but I'm conscious that there are two types of people here.
"There are those that saw what happened, there were those who were right in the heart of it, like myself, and then there were others who were tourists who had no clue.
"I was conscious of that yesterday when I was in Las Ramblas, when there were people like myself who were in shock, people upset, people crying, but then there was people who had no idea what had gone on, laughing and getting on with life and whatever. So there was mixed emotions."
Stallholders reopening on Las Ramblas isn't callous but a declaration the evil jihadis won't win. We defeat them with defiance & security
— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) August 18, 2017
No terrorist attack will keep Barcelonians down, las ramblas already back open, love this city! #BarcelonaAttack
— ScouseWanderer (@kez79evans) August 18, 2017
Stalls open on Las Ramblas and tourists out buying souvenirs #BarcellonaAttackpic.twitter.com/ziGb1zsLUa
— Tony Brown (@tonyprod77) August 18, 2017
He added: "There is almost a spirit here that Barcelona will carry on. It seems to be the approach that people are adopting, that they won't be divided, they won't allow these people to succeed."
Meanwhile, kind-hearted residents in the city have offered to provide accommodation and help to those impacted by the tragic events.
More than 6,000 Facebook users offered to help those affected by the attack in which a van deliberately ploughed into pedestrians.
Many offered water, food, a place to stay and transport for anyone in need of assistance through Facebook’s Safety Check - the page is titled The Attack in Barcelona, Spain.
"I live near Sant Pau hospital, if any family needs information, sleeping, taking a shower or any help," wrote one, providing her contact details.
"I can offer my help as a translator!" wrote another.
Giulia Forester also offered to help: "Please let me know how I can help, I speak Italian, English and Spanish, let me know if I can help with translations in hospitals.
"I live very close to Placa Catalunya but I can reach any other area where support is requested. I'd be very happy to offer any kind of help and to donate blood if still needed."
Roberto Ramirez posted: "If you need to talk to anyone or anyone that needs psychological help, do not hesitate to contact us. These are moments to get together and not to create separation."
Safety Check lets users in the vicinity of the attack tell their Facebook friends they are safe and connect with nearby support.
Facebook first introduced Safety Check in 2011 but until 2015's Paris attacks it had been used only for natural disasters.
Five terrorists wearing fake suicide belts were later shot dead by police after ramming civilians with a car in a Spanish seaside town in a second attack to hit the country - here's what we know so far.