Barcelona attack: Suspect 'killed in shootout' with police after deadly act of terror

A suspect in the terrorist attack in Barcelona has died in a shoot out with police on the outskirts of the city, according to a local paper.

La Vanguardia cited investigation sources who said the suspected terrorist died after fleeing the scene of the crime. He jumped in front of a police barricade and injured one officer before being caught in the town of Sant Just Desvern.

Two other suspects have been arrested and are being treated as terrorists, police in the Catalonia region of Spain said. Authorities have also found a second van connected to the attack in the small town of Vic. Police cordoned off the area and are searching the vehicle.

Authorities denied reports that two men had taken hostages in a Barcelona restaurant. It was not immediately clear how many people were involved in the attack.

The search for suspects began when a van drove through a crowd of pedestrians on Barcelona's busy "Las Ramblas" thoroughfare on Thursday evening. The attacked killed at least 13 people and injured more than 50.

Police cordoned off the street – a popular tourist destination – and ordered nearby stores and Metro stations to close. The Catalonia interior minister called on residents to stay indoors while the investigation progressed.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced on Twitter that he was travelling to Barcelona to lead the security efforts, promising "maximum coordination to arrest the attackers, reinforce security and attend to all those affected".

He added: "The terrorists will never destroy a united people who love liberty over barbarism. All of Spain is with the victims and families."

This is the deadliest terrorist attack in the country since 2004, when al-Qaeda-inspired bombers killed 192 people in a subway attack. More than 100 people have died in similar car attacks across Europe since July 2016.

US President Donald Trump offered his condolences via Twitter, telling the country to be "tough and strong". Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered the US's support to Spanish law enforcement.

"Terrorists around the world should know that the United States and our allies are resolved to find you and bring you to justice," he said.

Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau said there would be a moment of silence in the city's main square at noon on Friday "to show that we are not scared and we are more united that ever".