Barcelona attack suspect shot dead, Catalan media say

A man believed to be the main orchestrator of last week’s terror attack in the Spanish city of Barcelona has been shot dead by the local Mossos police force, local media have reported.

Several Catalan and news outlets reported on Monday afternoon that Younes Abouyaaquoub had been shot following a manhunt which began shortly after last week’s act of terrorism, which left 13 people dead after a van ploughed its way through the Las Ramblas avenue.

The Mossos confirmed that a man had been shot in the nearby town of Subirats while appearing to wear an explosive belt. They have not yet confirmed that the man is Abouyaaquoub.

The Catalan police force had earlier confirmed via Twitter on Monday that there was an ongoing operation in the nearby region of Sant Sadurni d’Anoia.

Abouyaaquoub had been sought by police following last Thursday’s attack, and is believed to have been the driver of the van which caused the deaths and injuries suffered by over 100 people.