Is Barcelona safe and can I cancel my trip?
A van has been driven into crowds on Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s most popular tourist thoroughfare, in a terror attack, killing at least 13 people and injuring dozens more. A second terror attack took place at the coastal resort of Cambrils, injuring seven.
What happened in Barcelona?
A white Fiat van, reportedly rented, rammed into pedestrians outside a kosher restaurant on a busy street in Barcelona shortly after 5pm on Thursday.
The vehicle van veered onto the promenade and barreled down the busy walkway in central Barcelona for 500 metres, swerving back and forth as it mowed pedestrians down and turned a picturesque tourist destination into a bloody killing zone.
Victims were left sprawled in the street, spattered with blood or writhing in pain from broken limbs. Others fled in panic through Las Ramblas, screaming or carrying young children in their arms.
What should I do if I'm in Barcelona?
The Foreign Office (FCO) has issued advice urging tourists to notify their friends and families that they are safe via social media.
“If you’re in the immediate area you should take care and follow the advice of the local security authorities; press reports suggest that some public transport, particularly the metro, has been affected," its website states.
"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.
"If you are safe, follow the instructions of the Spanish authorities and notify friends and family via social networks, to avoid using phone lines. A helpline has been set up on 0034 93 214 21 24, although some callers have experienced problems with the line. The Spanish authorities are working to resolve this."
Some airlines - including British Airways and Easyjet - are allowing customers travelling this weekend to change their flights at no extra cost. Travellers are advised to get in touch with their tour operator or airline. ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents, has said it is not aware of any disruption to flights as a result of the attack.
In a statement it urged visitors to be vigilant. "As in the UK where the terrorism threat level is severe, travellers should remain alert and vigilant, especially in places where there is a high concentration of people," it said. "If travelling around the region, holidaymakers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys in case of disruption.
Barcelona attack key articles
"People imminently due to travel to Barcelona or Costa Dorada should monitor FCO advice and check the status of their flight with their airline or travel provider. We are not aware of any disruption to flight services as a result of these incidents.”
More than 12 million British nationals visit Spain every year, with Barcelona the most popular city destination. August is peak season.
What happened in Cambrils?
See here for what happened in the coastal resort of Cambrils, south of Barcelona, and what to do if you're there.
What is the terror threat in Spain?
The FCO says “terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Spain”.
It adds: “Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. The Spanish authorities take measures to protect visitors, but you should be vigilant and follow the instructions of the local authorities.”
There has not been any attacks in the country since 2009 - carried out by the Basque separatist group ETA, which disarmed earlier this year - but the FCO says Spanish police has previously disrupted a number of groups suspected of recruiting individuals to travel to Syria and Iraq, who have expressed an intention to carry out attacks in Europe.
Mapped: the world according to terror threats
The FCO warns: “There’s a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time.”
While this advice might seem alarming, it should be noted that around 2.5 million Britons visited Spain last month, with the vast majority of holidays passing trouble-free. Spain remains a very safe holiday destination.
The terror threat is rated high in dozens of other countries, including France, Germany, Russia, Turkey, the US, India, Thailand and Belgium. Again, the vast majority of trips to these places pass without incident.
What previous terror attacks have taken place in Spain?
The 2004 Madrid train bombing, a coordinated series of explosions attributed to Islamic terrorists, was by far the deadliest attack on Spanish soil in modern history, with 192 fatalities.
Other recent attacks, such as the 2006 Madrid–Barajas Airport bombing and the 2009 Palma Nova bombing, both of which killed two, have been claimed by Basque separatists.
"The Basque terrorist organisation ETA hasn’t mounted any attacks since 2009," The Foreign Office says. "In October 2011 ETA announced a 'definitive cessation of armed activity'. In April 2017 they declared a 'unilateral disarmament' and claimed to have handed in all of their weapons. British nationals have not been a target of ETA terrorism."
Can I cancel my trip or return early?
You can, but you will have to pay any extra costs you incur. Travel companies are not obliged to offer free cancellation or repatriation unless the FCO advises against travel. Check with the company you booked with.
While some hotels may allow you to postpone your booking, you are normally liable to honour any hotel bookings unless there is a free cancellation clause.
Will my travel insurance cover any losses if I don't travel?
Not usually. Travel insurance normally excludes costs associated with such instability including terrorist action.
