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Thousands march in Barcelona to show unity after attacks

Hundreds of thousands of people marched in Barcelona for the 'I am not afraid' march
Hundreds of thousands of people marched in Barcelona for the 'I am not afraid' march

Hundreds of thousands people marched in Barcelona in a show of unity amid chants of 'I am not afraid' after two Islamist militant attacks in the Spanish region of Catalonia last week left 15 dead.

The march was led by shopkeepers and residents of the city's well-known Las Ramblas boulevard, where a van ploughed into pedestrians on 17 August killing 13 and injuring more than a hundred.

Spain's King Felipe, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and the head of Catalonia's regional government Carles Puigdemont walked in the throng as people cheered and bore red, yellow and white roses - the colours of Spain's second-biggest city.

Some demonstrators chanted "Get out!" at King Felipe, who is not welcomed by many pro-independence Catalans, who want to break away from Spain.

Police estimated the march at half a million people. Members of Spain's Islamic community marched alongside the King and Prime Minister Rajoy, including women wearing hijabs.

Of the 12 suspects linked to the attacks, six were shot dead by police and two died in an explosion before the van rampage.

Two are in custody on charges of murder and membership of a terrorist organisation, and two have been freed on certain conditions.