OTTAWA — Spanish authorities say Canada is among 34 countries with citizens ****** or ******* in the ********* ****** in *********.
Global Affairs says Canadians have been affected by the *******, but did not provide further details, citing privacy reasons.
Canadians in Spain are advised to stay away from the *********** tourist area in ********* where an alleged ********* drove a van into a crowd, ******* at least 13 people and injuring more than 100.
A second ****** occurred in the resort town of Cambrils south of ********* eight hours later, leaving one woman ****.
Spanish ****** have shot and ****** five people carrying **** belts and arrested two people who were connected to the ********* van ******, as the manhunt intensified for the perpetrators of Europe’s latest rampage claimed by the Islamic State group. The driver of the van fled on foot and remained at large Friday morning.
Global Affairs spokesman Austin Jean says the government is in contact with family members of Canadians affected by the ******* and is trying to gather more information.
“Our thoughts are with the Canadians who were affected by the ********* ****** that occurred in *********,” Jean said in a statement.
The department urged Canadians in Spain to let their loved ones know they are safe.
Prime Minister ************** said in a statement Thursday that he was “deeply saddened” by the news.
“While we cannot ignore the outrage we feel, together we must renew our commitment to protect the freedom found in societies that promote unity, openness and inclusion,” wrote Trudeau, who has been out of the spotlight on a family vacation in British Columbia this week. “Spain, we grieve with you and denounce hate and ******** in all of its forms. Canada will continue working with the international community to fight ********* and build a ***** where we can all feel safe and secure.”
Travel organizations around the ***** responded to the ******, including the ***** Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, said: “I am extremely saddened to hear about these callous ******* in Spain, my heart goes out to the *******, their friends, and families. ********* and Cambrils are two beautiful and strong tourist spots. The Travel & Tourism sector offers its full support to all those impacted – both destinations, Spain, and its people – as it is going through these difficult times.”
UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai offered the following statement on behalf of the organization: “We are deeply saddened by this act of ****** and the tragic loss of innocent lives. In these difficult times, our thoughts are with the families and friends of the *******. This is again a cowardly ****** against all of us and a strong reminder that we need to be united, as an international community, in fighting these forces of darkness and all acts of ******.
Tourists and ********* residents tentatively returned to *********** on Friday morning for a subdued stroll down the leafy boulevard, a day after the ******. Dozens of ***** ****** officers in blue and neon-yellow uniforms were stationed near Placa de Catalunya and the street was still closed to vehicles, but all other signs of the previous day’s ****** had been cleared away.
Newsstands were open selling papers and souvenirs, and by midmorning, some *** cream shops were starting to lift their gates. Notably still closed were the iconic flower stalls near where the van came to a halt. And metal gates covered the entrance to La Boqueria, the expansive market that is one of the city’s most famous tourist attractions.
A small memorial of flowers was placed at a fountain that is a common gathering-spot for FC ********* fans, as the crowds dispersed and the quiet returned.
With files from The Canadian Press and The Associated Press
