Photos: Several injured today after vehicle hits pedestrians in #Barcelona terror attack

Terrorists are alleged to have plowed a van into a crowd of pedestrians in a popular tourist area -- resulting in confirmed deaths -- were holed up in a Barcelona restaurant Thursday as images of the carnage, showing bodies lying crumpled and bleeding in the street, flooded forth from the Spanish city.

Police in the northern Spanish city of Barcelona say a white van has jumped the sidewalk in the city's historic Las Ramblas district, injuring several people. El Pais reports Barcelona police are treating the incident as a terror attack.

Police confirm fatalities were a result of the crash, but did not clarify how many people died. Citing police sources, the Reuters news agency reported at least 13 people were killed in the attack.

The Barcelona-based La Vanguardia newspaper is reporting at least 20 others sustained injuries.

In a photograph shown by public broadcaster RTVE, three people were lying on the ground in the street Thursday afternoon and were apparently being helped by police and others. Videos of the scene recorded people screaming as they fled.

At this time, the extent of the victims' injuries remains unclear.

On Twitter, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he is in contact with authorities and the priority is to attend to the injured. 

Reuters reports two armed men reportedly entered a restaurant following the crash. Spain's El Pais newspaper, citing police sources, says perpetrators of the van incident are holed up in a bar.

Catalan Emergency Services have asked authorities to close train stations in the area close to the crash site in the area. 

Las Ramblas, a street of stalls and shops that cuts through the center of Barcelona, is one of the city's top tourist destinations. People walk down a wide, pedestrianized path in the center of the street, but cars can travel on either side.  

Authorities are asking people not to go near the area.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Vídeos de las ramblas pic.twitter.com/dIrhXWAXQl

— Pablo #SÍ (@Pablo_Morante_) August 17, 2017

GRAPHIC vid of #Terror attack that just occurred in #Barcelona.

Barcelona police telling people to not post pics. Why? This is REALITY! pic.twitter.com/9IfvVJ0GfI

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) August 17, 2017

Photos: #Barcelona attack suspect from Morocco identified & arrested.