Two years after a terrorist van attack on Barcelona's busy La Rambla promenade that claimed the life of an Australian child, politicians and bereaved loved ones have commemorated the victims with a ceremony in the Catalan capital.
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Family and relatives of the people killed laid white carnations on the street's colourful, round mosaic by the Spanish region's own Joan Miro.
Among them was the family of Sydney boy Julian Cadman, 7.
The ceremony was mainly quiet although a violoncello played El cant dels ocells (The Song of the Birds), a traditional Catalan lullaby.
On August 17, 2017, an Islamist extremist, 22-year-old Moroccan Younes Abouyaaqoub drove a van at speed, zigzagging through the crowded tourist strip and striking pedestrians, in an attack that was claimed by terror group Islamic State.
He killed 14 people with one of them dying days later in hospital.
Julian and his mother Jumarie Cadman had just stepped out of a toy shop when the van hit them, killing the seven-year-old. Ms Cadman was seriously injured.
More than 100 others were injured in the attack.
The following night, another vehicular attack took place in nearby Cambrils in which attackers drove a car into passers-by, killing one woman and injuring five others.
In total, 16 people were killed in the attacks and more than 120 people injured.
Barcelona mayor Ada Colau and regional president Quim Torra were joined by Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska at the memorial event on Saturday.
"Today, and always, our memories and our solidarity will be with the victims and their families," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted in Spanish and Catalan.
"We will remain firm and united against terrorism, defending democracy, freedom and coexistence," he added.
A parallel ceremony was held at the foot of La Rambla, organised by the ACVOT victims' group, which claims that many of the victims were "forgotten". A soprano singer performed Ave Maria at that event.
Three suspects currently in custody are to go on trial in 2020, the RTVE broadcaster reported.
Other members of the terrorist cell are thought to have been killed either in an explosion at a house serving as the group's bomb workshop or shot dead by police on the nights of the attacks.
Australian Associated Press
