Police as well as Catalan minister of the interior, Joaquim Forn, have confirmed the deaths. Police termed it a terror attack.

Home Affairs minister on the #Barcelona attack: "We can confirm 13 deaths and over 50 injured" https://twitter.com/quimforn/status/898247698951929856 …

One man has been arrested so far and police denied earlier report that the attacker was holed up in a bar. "There is no one entrenched in any bar in the center of Barcelona. We have arrested one man. We treat it as a terrorist attack," police tweeted.

Police also releaed the image of a suspect (in picture above) 

According to Catalan Police, an individual driver has hit several with his van.

Tourists and residents were asked to move away from the entrance to Las Ramblas, said reports.

Department of Interior tweeted: "If you are in the area of ​​the center and Plaça Catalunya in Barcelona, ​​follow the directions of the agents. Keep calm."

Emergency Catalunya tweeted: "If you find yourself If you are in the area of ​​Plaza Cataluña in Barcelona stay where you are until the police say you can leave."

Sharing solidarity with the people of Barcelona, UK Prime Minister Theresa May, said on Twitter: "My thoughts are with the victims of today’s terrible attack in Barcelona…"

"...and the emergency services responding to this ongoing incident. The UK stands with Spain against terror," the UK PM added.

US President Donald Trump tweeted to condemn the attack in Barcelona. "The United States condemns the terror attack in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!"

Meawhile, SITE Intel Group tweeted that Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack according to Amaq News Agency of the IS.