BARCELONA TERRORIST ATTACKS
News this week focuses on the Barcelona terror attack that happened on August 17th, 2017. Know details include:
22-year-old Younes Abouyaaquob drove a van into pedestrians on La Rambla in Barcelona, Spain, killing 14 people and injuring at least 130 more before feeling on foot and killing a 15th victim to steal his car and escape.
Nine hours after the Barcelona attack, five men thought to be members of the same terrorist cell drove into pedestrians in nearby Cambrils, killing one woman and injuring six others. All five attackers were shot and killed by police.
The night before the Barcelona attack, an explosion occurred in a house in the Spanish town of Alcanar, killing two additional members of the terrorist cell and destroying the building. The home had over 120 gas canisters inside, which police believe were planned to be used in a larger terror attack of three popular tourist destinations, including the Sagrada Familia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations.
In the ensuing investigation, traces of TATP were found at the ruins of the suspected bomb facility used in Barcelona by the attack cell.
The last known member of the Barcelona terror cell was shot dead on Monday after he was cornered by armed police while wearing a fake suicide vest, and police have said they now believe they had apprehended all members of the cell.
"We were looking for 12 people and they are now all either dead or in custody," said the police chief, Josep Lluis Trapero.
(Quote from: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/21/police-searching-barcelona-van-driver-shoot-man)
For Additional Details, see:
"Early assessment finds that TATP at Barcelona attackers' bomb factory"
http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/18/europe/spain-terror-attacks-tatp/index.html
"Spain attacks: Police hunt Barcelona driver, probe suspected bomb factory"
http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/19/europe/spain-attacks-barcelona-cambrils/index.html
"Barcelona attacks: four suspects face court after van driver is shot dead.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/21/police-searching-barcelona-van-driver-shoot-man
"Barcelona attackers 'wanted to drive van full of explosives into Sagrada Familia'"