Finland condemns Barcelona terrorist attack

The president, prime minister and leaders from different political parties on Thursday condemned the terrorist attack in Barcelona and expressed their profound shock.

At least 13 people were reportedly killed and dozens of others injured in the terrorist attack in Barcelona on Thursday afternoon.

The attack took place at about 17:00 hours local time when a man, described as slim and aged in his mid-20’s, drove a white van at a high speed for several hundred metres onto the famous Las Ramblas, attempting to hit as many people as possible, local media reported.

President Sauli Niinistö wrote in a Twitter post that terrorists have hit Europe again and he was keeping a close watch on the situation. The president also expressed his condolence to the victims and their families.

“My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Strongly condemning terror in all forms,” wrote Prime Minister Juha Sipilä, also chief of the ruling Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party), in his Twitter immediately after the attack.

The leader of the main opposition Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP), Antti Rinne in a Twitter post said he strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the crowd in Barcelona and expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the innocent victims.

“Another senseless attack, now in Barcelona. My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” said Finance Minister Petteri Orpo, also the chair of KansallinenKokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP).