Mass held for Barcelona terror victims, investigation continues

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‍A mass has taken place at Barcelona's Sagrada Familia church to pay homage to the victims of two terror attacks which happened earlier in the week.

King Felipe, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Catalonia's president Carles Puigdemont led the ceremony to remember the 14 people killed by jihadists who used vehicles to mow down pedestrians on Las Ramblas boulevard on Thursday and in the nearby seaside resort of Cambrils early Friday.

(From L) Barcelona's Mayor Ada Colau, Spanish vice-President of the Government and Minister of the Presidency and of the Regional Administrations Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, President of the Congress Ana Pastor, Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa, President of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy attend a mass to commemorate victims of two devastating terror attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils, at the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona on August 20. /AFP Photo

"These have been days of tears, many tears," said auxiliary bishop Sebastia Taltavull.

Outside the church, snipers were posted on rooftops surrounding the landmark building, while armed police stood guard as hundreds of people gathered under grey skies.

Catalonia resident Teresa Rodriguez said she had come to pray for the victims.

"What happened in Las Ramblas is really hard for us, we go for walks there often, it could have happened to me, my children or anyone. And here we are. It's huge, huge," she said as she fought back tears.

Archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal Joan Josep Omella (C), celebrates a mass to commemorate victims of two devastating terror attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils, at the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona on August 20, 2017. /AFP Photo

Later on Sunday, nearly 100,000 people were expected at Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium for the team's first game of the season, to be marked by a minute's silence.

Police Chief of the Catalonia region Josep Lluis Trapero told journalists Sunday that investigators had identified two people and found more than 120 gas canisters in a house where the suspects of the twin assaults were believed to be building bombs for "one or more" attacks.

Police said they do not know if 22-year-old suspect Younes Abouyaaqoub is still in Spain.

Trapero said police still cannot confirm who was the driver of the van used in the Barcelona attack.

Josep Lluis Trapero, chief of the Catalan regional police "Mossos D'Esquadra", takes part in a press conference at the Generalitat (Catalan Government) in Barcelona on August 20, 2017. /AFP Photo

An extensive security operation including roadblocks was mounted overnight across the Catalonia region.

The Spanish government decided to maintain its anti-terrorism alert level at 4, but pledged to reinforce security measures at the same time.

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency