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Trump Quickly Condemned The Barcelona “Terror Attack” On Twitter

by Bronwyn Isaac
Drew Angerer/Getty Images News/Getty Images

On Thursday, a van rammed into pedestrians in Barcelona's Las Ramblas district and killed at least one person and injuring dozens. Shortly after, Trump condemned the "terror attack in Barcelona" on Twitter. "The United States condemns the terror attack in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!," wrote Trump.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Spain has already updated travel information for citizens in the UK, warning them to avoid the area of the crash before more details are provided.

"Local authorities have advised people to stay inside and stay away from the Las Ramblas area of the city. 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," read the statement.

Local authorities have already taken measures to cordon off the area where the van hit the crowd, and police are investigating another van in case there is a connection. Police in the area have already named the incident as a terrorist attack and are investigating the area for clues surrounding the suspect, and the possible motivations.

The first lady Melania Trump tweeted her condolences soon after the attack, an hour or so before the president condemned the terror attack. "Thoughts and prayers to #Barcelona," wrote Melania.

Shortly after the attack, the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters at the State Department that U.S. Diplomats in Spain are already offering their assistance to Americans in the area. He said the crash "has the hallmarks of what appears to be yet another terrorist attack, and that "terrorists around the world should know that the United States and our allies are resolved to find you and bring you to justice."

An American who lives near Las Ramblas, Keith Fleming, told The Associated Press that his television show was interrupted when he heard a crash and "saw women and children just running and they looked terrified.”

Fleming also shared that the street cleared out quickly, with the exception of armed police officers in riot gear, "It’s just kind of a tense situation. Clearly people were scared," he told The Associated Press.

On Thursday afternoon The House Speaker Paul Ryan also mourned and condemned the attack. "Pure evil in #Barcelona. We stand with the people of Spain, and send our prayers to the victims of this horrible terrorist attack," Ryan wrote on Twitter.