GRAPHIC: video captures close up of injured pedestrians after white van mows down Barcelona crowd. pic.twitter.com/5QLIxhgDt1

Sun UK reports:

Eyewitness footage and photos from the scene show a huge emergency response after the smash on the iconic Las Ramblas tourist hotspot.

A TERROR van has ploughed into pedestrians in Barcelona leaving 13 dead and several injured, according to local reports.

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Local outlet El Pais claims that police sources have said that the driver ran away from the van on foot after the smash.

An operation is now reportedly underway to apprehend the person who was at the wheel.

Other unverified reports from local TV channel TV3 say two armed men are holding hostages in a nearby Turkish restaurant.

Cops have ordered shops and cafes in the area to shut in the wake of the crash.

The van entered the pedestrian area at the junction of Las Ramblas and Placa Catalunya.

Reports say the van ploughed into people outside a Kosher food shop, although this is yet to be confirmed.