Madrid Authorities Enhance Security Measures in Public Places After Van Attacks

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Security measures in pedestrian zones in the Spanish capital of Madrid have been enhanced following deadly van attacks in Barcelona and the town of Cambrils, local media reported Friday.

In particular, officials installed planters and bollards to block access to the pedestrian zones and thus prevent a potential ramming attack, El Periodico newspaper reported.

On Thursday, a van mowed down a crowd of pedestrians in the central Ramblas area in Spain’s tourist resort of Barcelona, leaving 13 people dead and over a hundred injured, in what police said was an act of terrorism. The Daesh terrorist group (outlawed in Russia) claimed responsibility for the attack.

Several hours after the Barcelona tragedy, a van rammed into a crowd of passers-by in the coastal town of Cambrils 74 miles south of the Catalan capital, injuring seven people, including a police officer. A woman later died in hospital. In a following counter-terrorist operation, four attack suspects were killed and one died from wounds later.

As of now a total of three suspects have been detained. Authorities estimate that up to eight people may have been involved in the Barcelona and Cambrils rampages, as well as the house explosion in the coastal town of Alcanar on Wednesday night.