'Hate ain't gonna win!' Barcelona's Las Ramblas already bustling with locals and tourists as minute's silence is held for terror attack victims

The people of Barcelona were united in defiance today as their lives returned to normal following a horrific terror attack that left 13 people dead.

In sombre scenes, locals and visitors laid flowers and lit candles amid a heavy police presence following the van attack on pedestrians.

Residents also took to social media to share their accounts of how they were refusing to let the horror stop them going from going about their business.

The main thoroughfares of central Barcelona, where a van had mowed down pedestrians less than 24 hours beforehand, were bustling by Friday morning as Catalans headed out to work while shoppers hit the streets.

As police removed tape from the scene, stalls reopened right by the spot where the deadly van attack struck.

Others laid flowers and candles at the locations where pedestrians were hit and killed.

Workers wearing shirts were pictured walking the streets as usual alongside tourists with cameras, while officers looked calmly on.

One kiosk worker was pictured chatting on his mobile as placards showing black ribbons hung out front alongside Barcelona tourist trinkets.

It came as a minute's silence was held in memory of the victims. Thousands lined the pavements on Placa de Catalunya, including King Felipe of Spain and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Huge queues formed around the central Barcelona square at midday local time as locals and tourists were keen to pay tribute amid tight security checks.

George Bradley, a 25-year-old Brit who moved to Spain in March, said he was touched by the sense of solidarity at the vigil.

“It was very moving, applause breaking out and spreading around the big crowd during the speeches and then thunderous applause after the minute's silence,” he said.

“People were chanting in Catalan 'No tenim por!' [We are not afraid]. Then the crowd walked a procession along La Rambla, some clapping and cheering, but it was mostly silent.

“I think everyone is just shocked, really. I've always thought of Spain as a safe country and not so deeply associated with the conflicts in the Middle East, but this was an indiscriminate attack on one of the busiest tourist spots in Europe, at peak season.

“But since I've been living here the solidarity here is tangible, people care deeply about each other and look out for each other, that feeling goes deep in Catalan society.

“So I have no doubt that people will band together and be stronger than ever.”

Twitter users posted images of street scenes as residents went about their business.

"This is the scene in Barcelona at the top of Canaletas right now," wrote Marta Arias, posting images of shoppers strolling near the famous fountain on Las Ramblas where flowers had been laid.

Prospective visitors meanwhile vowed they would not let terror win by cancelling their trips.

Twitter user Graham Harper wrote: "We're off to Barcelona today. No worries at all. This is the way we win, we just carry on!"

Gregory Leclerc, a reporter from Nice Matin, pictured locals and tourists returning to the reopened Las Ramblas "soberly".

CNN International's Eliza Mackintosh meanwhile posted images of locals bravely getting straight back to normal on Las Ramblas with a poignant "I heart Barcelona" shop sign in the background.

It came as Britain's Foreign Office updated its travel advice for visitors to Spain.

In an advisory posted online, the guidance was to "take care and follow the advice of the local security authorities; press reports suggest that some public transport, particularly the metro, has been affected.

"If you’re caught up in an ongoing incident, turn any mobile phones or other devices to silent, and do not put your location on social media. Follow the advice of the local authorities when instructed."

Crowds were pictured gathering round the Miro mosaic on Las Ramblas paying tribute.

Arturo Puente wrote: "The people have improvised a tribute with candles and flowers in the place where the van stopped, on the mosaic of Miró in the Rambla."

Twitter user Simon Hall meanwhile said it was important not to let terror stop life carrying on as usual.

Cafes and restaurants were meanwhile seen filled with punters.

Channel 4's Alex Thomson wrote that Las Ramblas was "thronged".

Darren Grey, another tourist to Barcelona, vowed: "Hate ain't gonna win!"

Thirteen people were killed and 80 injured when a van ploughed into pedestrians on Thursday afternoon.

The Catalonian government confirmed the death toll following the rampage in Las Ramblas - the city's busiest shopping street - around 5pm (local time).

Five terrorists wearing suicide belts who were planning a second atrocity in Spain overnight were then shot dead by police.

Three arrests have so far been made.