World leaders voice solidarity with Spain after 'cowardly and revolting' terror attacks

In the first incident, which was claimed by the Islamic State group, a white van sped into a street packed full of tourists in central Barcelona on Thursday afternoon, knocking people out of the way and killing 13 in a scene of chaos and horror.

Some eight hours later in Cambrils, a city 120 kilometres south of Barcelona, an Audi A3 car rammed into pedestrians, injuring six civilians – one of them critical – and a police officer, authorities said.

Gunfire ensued during which police killed the five attackers, some of whom were wearing explosive belts.

Police said they were "working on the hypothesis that the terrorists shot dead in Cambrils are linked to what happened in Barcelona".

The Spanish royal family issued an unusually strongly-worded statement: They are assassins, criminals who won't terrorise us. All of Spain is Barcelona."

FC Barcelona said it was "deeply saddened" by the tragedy and the team's talismanic striker Lionel Messi said separately that people must reject "any act of violence".

"There are many more of us who want to live in a world in peace, without hate and where respect and tolerance are the basis of coexistence," he added.

US President Donald Trump tweeted:

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson added: "Terrorists around the world should know – the United States and our allies are resolved to find you and bring you to justice."

In a statement, the office of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said they were thinking of the victims of the "revolting attack" with "profound sadness".

Russian President Vladimir Putin called for the world to unite in an "uncompromising battle against the forces of terror".

"We decisively condemn this cruel and cynical crime against civilians," Putin wrote in a telegram of condolences to Spanish King Felipe VI.

A spokesman said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres "condemns today's terrorist attack on Barcelona" and "hopes that those responsible for this heinous violence will be swiftly brought to justice."

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: "I send my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, as well as to Prime Minister Rajoy and the people of Spain. My thoughts are with the people of Barcelona."

French President Emmanuel Macron voiced "France's solidarity" with Spanish citizens following what he called "a tragic attack".

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said: "Parisians are at your side. Barcelona and Paris are cities that share love and tolerance. Our values are much stronger than this heinous and cowardly act of terrorism".

British Prime Minister Theresa May said, "I am sickened by the senseless loss of life in Barcelona. 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."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan called the attack "barbaric" tweeting:

Pope Francis's spokesman said in a statement: "The Pope prays for the victims of this attack and wishes to express his closeness to all the Spanish people, especially the wounded and families of the victims."
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey strongly condemned the "heinous terrorist attack".It was a "cowardly attack against innocent people," the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte said in a statement on his Facebook page, calling it a "black day at a place where many people around the world gathered."

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, a star with Spanish premier club Real Madrid, said he was "dismayed" by the attack and voiced "support and solidarity with the families and friends of the victims".