Barcelona van attack suspect shot dead

Spanish police have confirmed the man shot in an operation outside Barcelona is Younes Abouyaaqoub – the chief suspect in the van attack in the city last Thursday. Wearing a fake explosive belt, he was shot in the Subirats area, close to Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, police say. Police reportedly closed in after a witness saw […]

Spanish police have confirmed the man shot in an operation outside Barcelona is Younes Abouyaaqoub – the chief suspect in the van attack in the city last Thursday.

Wearing a fake explosive belt, he was shot in the Subirats area, close to Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, police say.

Police reportedly closed in after a witness saw someone fitting his description near a petrol station. The van attack on Las Ramblas avenue killed 13 and injured more than 100.

Media reports quoting police sources said Abouyaaqoub had shouted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is Greatest”) when confronted.

The operation took place some 25 miles (40km) from Barcelona. 

Bomb disposal officers went to the scene with a robot to examine what reports suggest may be a fake explosive belt.