Spanish bishops offer prayers following Barcelona terrorist attack

The secretary general of the Spanish Bishops Conference voiced prayers for victims after a van sped into a crowd of people in the Las Ramblas tourist area of Barcelona, killing several and injuring dozens more.

“We follow with concern and prayers the situation of victims of the mass outrage in Las Ramblas. Our solidarity with the victims and Barcelona,” said Bishop José Gil Tamayo in a Twitter statement on Thursday.

Witnesses reported that the van appeared to move deliberately as it mowed down people in the crowded pedestrian zone, according to the BBC. Local media reported that the driver fled on foot. Immediate reports on the numbers of casualties were varied. However, police confirmed dozens of injuries and declared the incident a terrorist attack.