Top 13+ injured after car plows into crowd in Spain

At least 13 people were injured after a driver lost control of a vehicle and crashed into a crowd gathered outside for a soccer match between RCD Espanyol and local rivals FC Barcelona, authorities said on May 15.

The incident occurred near RCD Espanyol’s stadium in Barcelona just as the game was beginning. The driver has been arrested on suspicion of reckless driving and causing injury.

In recent years, vehicle-ramming attacks have emerged as a chilling and effective method of mass violence. By turning everyday vehicles into deadly weapons, attackers have struck at the heart of public spaces, leaving devastation in their wake.

While some of these incidents are driven by terrorist ideology, others stem from far-right radicalization, personal grievances, or even mental health crises. Why is this type of attack on the rise? And what are the most infamous incidents? Click through this gallery to find out.

Vehicles as weapons

Vehicle-ramming attacks such as these involve deliberately driving a car, truck, or other vehicle into a crowd of people with the intent to kill or injure. These attacks exploit the everyday accessibility of vehicles to turn them into deadly weapons with devastating consequences.

The rise of lone-wolf terrorism

Many vehicle-ramming attacks are carried out by lone individuals, often radicalized online or driven by personal grievances. Without the need for complex planning or coordination, these attackers can strike unpredictably, which makes them particularly challenging to detect before they act.

The influence of extremist ideologies

From jihadist groups like ISIS to far-right extremists and incel movements, radical ideologies have played a significant role in motivating vehicle-ramming attacks. These attackers see mass casualties as a means of advancing their twisted beliefs, although many other attacks can be attributed to non-terrorist acts. Let’s take a look at some of the worst ones.

Carnival tragedy in Germany

On March 3, two people died and 11 were injured after a car drove into a crowd of people celebrating the carnival season in the western German city of Mannheim.

Deadly New Year's Eve in New Orleans

On January 1, 15 people were killed and 30 others injured after a truck drove into a crowd in New Orleans’ tourist district. The truck, displaying an Islamic State flag, plowed through Bourbon Street before the driver opened fire on police.

Extremism in Munich

On February 13, 2025, a 24-year-old attacker drove a Mini Cooper into a crowd in Munich, Germany. The attack happened during a trade union demonstration near the city’s central train station.

Authorities quickly identified an Islamist motive behind the attack, though no direct links to terrorist organizations were found. The attacker later confessed to deliberately targeting the demonstrators, and the incident has fueled various political debates on immigration and public safety.

Christmas market massacre

On December 19, 2016, Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz Christmas market was alive with holiday cheer when a stolen truck suddenly barreled through the crowd. In a matter of seconds, the joyous atmosphere was replaced by chaos, screams, and devastation as the vehicle crushed everything in its path.

The Westminster rampage

The heart of London became a scene of terror on March 22, 2017, as a lone attacker drove a vehicle onto Westminster Bridge and rammed into pedestrians in a horrifying act of violence. In just 82 seconds, he killed five people and injured over 50 before crashing his car near Parliament.

Deadly Spanish attack

Barcelona's vibrant La Rambla street became a scene of bloodshed on August 17, 2017, as a van zigzagged down the bustling boulevard, striking unsuspecting tourists and locals alike. The 22-year-old attacker killed 15 people and injured over 130, turning one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations into a place of horror and grief.

Sidewalk slaughter

On April 23, 2018, a rented van became a weapon of mass violence in Toronto, Canada, as the driver deliberately mounted a busy sidewalk and struck pedestrians along a nearly one-mile (1.6-km) stretch. The calculated attack left 10 people dead and 16 others injured.

Halloween horror

A crisp autumn afternoon on October 31, 2017, turned deadly when a rented pickup truck sped down a crowded bike path in New York City, striking cyclists and pedestrians. Eight people were killed, and a dozen more were injured before the attacker crashed into a school bus and was apprehended by police.

Bastille Day horror

On July 14, 2016, thousands of people gathered on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, to watch Bastille Day fireworks. The joyous atmosphere quickly turned to horror when a 19-ton truck, driven by a terrorist, suddenly accelerated into the crowd, mowing down men, women, and children.

Swedish day of terror

On April 7, 2017, a hijacked beer delivery truck was driven at high speed down a crowded pedestrian street in central Stockholm. The attacker plowed through shoppers before crashing into a department store, killing five people and injuring over a dozen others.

The mosque attack

On June 19, 2017, a van deliberately plowed into a group of Muslim worshippers outside Finsbury Park Mosque in London, striking people who had just finished evening prayers during Ramadan. The attack killed one man and injured 10 other individuals.

The Münster cafe attack

On April 7, 2018, a van plowed into an outdoor café in the German city of Münster, killing three people and injuring over 20 others. The attack occurred in a popular pedestrian area, turning a peaceful weekend gathering into a scene of panic and destruction.

Construction vehicle carnage

On July 2, 2008, chaos erupted in Jerusalem when a construction worker used a bulldozer to carry out a deadly vehicle-ramming attack. The attacker drove the heavy machinery onto Jaffa Road, crushing cars, flipping buses, and striking pedestrians before being shot and killed.

Christmas parade tragedy

On November 21, 2021, the annual Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, was shattered when an SUV plowed through performers and spectators. The attack left six people dead, including an eight-year-old child, and over 60 injured.

Australian massacre

On January 20, 2017, Melbourne’s bustling Bourke Street turned into a scene of horror when a man deliberately drove his car into pedestrians. The attack, carried out in broad daylight, left six people dead and injured over 30.

Anti-ramming roadblocks

In order to counteract vehicle-ramming attacks, many cities install barriers (whether temporary or permanent) that can prevent unauthorized vehicles from gaining access to areas where pedestrians typically travel. These have proven effective in preventing attacks in cities like London and New York.