Quebecers are among those mourning the devastating attacks in Barcelona.
Though there are no reports of Canadians among those killed and injured in the terror attack in the popular Las Ramblas tourist area, Montreal man Daniel Pereira was close to the scene.
"When I arrived to the hotel, I saw a lot of people crying and saying 'Help me, help me,' and ran and said 'There's an attack,'” he told CTV Montreal.
Pereira is visiting Barcelona and is staying around the corner from where the attack happened.
“I went in the hotel and up to the rooftop and I saw helicopters, ambulances, lots of policemen, and I put the television on, and it was an attack,” he said. “The front desk told me not to go out, it was very, very dangerous and the police and the television and the minister and the guy of the government said don't go out. It's very, very dangerous, stay home and wait for new news."
Montreal's Spanish community is reeling from the incident.
“I got a call from my mum and she was all crying and terrified by what happened there,” said Victor Rodriguez.
Normally busy during the dinner hour, the Club Espagnol de Quebec on St-Laurent Blvd. was mostly empty on Thursday night.
Those who came out watched for updates on the attack.
“It's pretty empty right now. People are just at home watching the news and pretty hurt by it all. It's such a cowardly attack.,” said Rodriguez
Genaro Sylvain said he is not entirely surprised by the news.
“Surprised? Yes and no. It's happened in London, Germany, France, why not in Spain?
Spanish ex-pat Fernando Villalba said the attack won't stop him from travelling home.
“Life continues and we’re not supposed to be afraid,” he said.
