Pictures and video emerging from the scene show armed police and paramedics rushing to Las Ramblas, a busy tree-lined promenade in the centre of the city.

Horrifying footage from the scene shows dozens of victims lying injured on the floor.

Police have confirmed that 32 people are injured, with Catalonia’s interior minister Joaquim Forn saying it is ‘very possible’ that the number of dead will rise because of the ‘very serious’ wounds to victims.

Gunfire was heard at the Corte Ingles store in the area after police announced a ‘massive crash’.

Police officers were said to be negotiating with two attackers in a Turkish restaurant where they have taken hostages.

Officers were also searching for a second van the attackers may have hired as a getaway vehicle.

The civil guard has said the van used in the attack was rented by a man named Driss Oukabir, in the town of Santa Perpetua de la Mogada, El Pais reports.

The terrorists are celebrating.