2017 News Map: Terror attack attempted in Europe weekly

World
Europe

Thirteen people lost their lives after a 22-year-old terrorist plowed a rented van into pedestrians on the tourist hot-spot of Barcelona's Las Ramblas promenade in August. The attack was the deadliest in Spain since the 2004 Madrid train bombings and the worst in Barcelona since the 1987 Hipercor bombing.

That was not all... nine hours later, another attack followed suit... five men – thought to be related to the Barcelona attack – drove into pedestrians in nearby Cambrils, killing one and injuring six... People in the area were evacuated.

And these are only two of the many attacks Europe experienced in the past year.

Representatives of rescue workers, police, health workers and citizens hold a banner reading "We are not afraid" during a march of unity after last week attacks, in Barcelona, Spain, Aug. 26, 2017. /VCG Photo

"We can defeat terrorists. We will beat them with the institutional union, with police cooperation, through prevention, through international support, and a firm determination to defend the values of our civilization: democracy, liberty and human rights," Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said.

Spain was not the only country under attack in Europe – now not by organized groups, but "lone wolf attacks" inspired by ISIL.

People display flowers, messages and candles to pay tribute to the victims of the Barcelona and Cambrils attacks on the Rambla boulevard in Barcelona, Aug. 22, 2017, one week after a van plowed into the crowd, killing 15 people and injuring hundreds. / VCG Photo

In Russia, a suicide bomber, a naturalized Russian national born in Kyrgyzstan, killed 15 people in a subway attack in St. Petersburg.

"We will do everything to identify the reasons behind what happened, give a full evaluation of what happened, and city and federal authorities will do everything possible to support the families of our killed and injured citizens," Russian President Vladimir Putin commented.

In the same month in France, an attacker killed a police officer before shooting at pedestrians. Then French President François Hollande said the attack was "terrorist in nature" and promised "utmost vigilance."

A Police van leaves the Madrid court on Aug. 22, 2017, after the arrival of four men suspected of involvement in the terror cell that carried out twin attacks in Spain. Under heavy security, police vans entered the National Court, which deals with terrorism cases. / VCG Photo

In the UK, Salman Ramadan Abedi "single-handedly" ended the lives of 23 people by detonating a shrapnel-laden homemade bomb as people were leaving the Manchester Arena... following a concert by an American singer popular among children.

"It is now beyond doubt that the people of Manchester and of this country have fallen victim to a callous terrorist attack, an attack that targeted some of the youngest people in our society with cold calculation, " UK Prime Minister Theresa May pointed out.

And just over a week later, the country was targeted once again, when three men left eight people dead after driving a van into pedestrians on London Bridge.

Official figures show at least 63 people have been killed during terror attacks in Europe in 2017, with over 315 injured. The continent has seen a terror attack attempt every seven days.

With the rampant terrorist attacks in Europe, it remains a tough call for the European government on what effective measures to take to protect their citizens.