Barcelona shooting: Driver of gas truck shot after police chase on dual carriageway

A truck driver has been shot at in Barcelona after he drove at high speed towards the city centre in a vehicle packed with gas cylinders.

Officers opened fire on Tuesday morning during a high speed chase as canisters flew off the back of the lorry on the Ronda Litoral, which injured at least one pedestrian.

The vehicle, which was reported to be stolen, was being driven the wrong way down a dual carriageway towards the centre of Barcelona and is understood to have rammed several cars on its way.

Spanish media reported police shot at the truck and into the air before the vehicle stopped and a man, believed to be a Swedish national named as Joakim Robin Berggren, was arrested.

Pictures taken from the scene showed a bullet hole in the truck's windscreen and crowds of police officers appearing to arrest the driver.

Spanish national television TVE reported the truck hit several cars before police fired several gunshots as the drama unfolded on the busy Spanish road.

Eyewitness Jordi Sintes told La Vanguardia: “We heard the sirens, and then a very strong blow.

“We have all turned and seen the butane truck braking suddenly at the entrance to the Round. It was in the wrong direction.

“Two motorbikes from the Guardia Urbana followed. They have got off and pointed the driver with their pistols. He has opened his arms and then three Mossos have arrived and they have done it.

“In a matter of a minute, cops have appeared from all directions. Some with machine guns. And in less than five minutes they had him handcuffed."

A police spokeswoman said the lorry was being driven on the dual carriageway at around 11am (10am UK time) when the driver was stopped.

Some media have reported the man may be suffering from mental health problems while other reports suggested he may have been under the influence of illegal drugs.

The spokeswoman would not confirm the gunshots but said the driver was being interrogated.

Earlier reports indicated the driver had been shot and killed but police denied this.

Spain has kept its national security alert one step below maximum since July 2015, following violent attacks across Europe.