Up to 13 people are feared dead and dozens more injured after a van ploughed into pedestrians in a terror attack in a busy tourist area of Barcelona.

The driver of a white Fiat van, who fled on foot after the incident in Las Ramblas, was reported by local media to have been holed up in a city centre bar surrounded by police.

Authorities have confirmed a suspected terrorist has been arrested and there was no-one in the bar.

The BBC says Catalonia's interior minister has confirmed that 13 people have died and a further 50 are injured. 

Sources confirmed that the death toll from the latest terror attack to strike a major European city was expected to reach 13.

The vehicle careered into terrified pedestrians in the busy tree-lined promenade, one of the most popular parts of the city, visited by tourists and locals alike.

The passport of a Spanish citizen, of Moroccan origin, was found at the scene.

Catalonia's interior minister Joaquim Forn told reporters: "Unfortunately the number of fatalities will likely rise."

And a spokesman from the Barcelona Civic Protection Office said: "The official information I have is that we have one person dead, and 64 people were attended by medical services."

Prime Minister Theresa May has condemned the "terrible" assault in the Spanish city which follows a spate of similar attacks in London in recent months.

She said: "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."

Meanwhile, US president Donald Trump wrote on Twitter: "The United States condemns the terror attack in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!"