A Look at Attacks Where Vehicles Have Been Used as Weapons

A rented van that drove along a crowded sidewalk in Toronto, killing 10 people and injuring 15, is apparently the latest example of a driver using a vehicle as a weapon in recent years. Some of the attacks were orchestrated by extremist groups, others by unstable individuals with unclear motives. Radical groups have urged supporters to use any weapons at hand, including cars, a tactic that presents a major challenge for security forces around the world. Here's a look at some other attacks: ___ Oct. 31, 2017 A Halloween attack on a bike path in New York City killed eight and injured 11 others. Authorities say Sayfullo Saipov of Paterson, New Jersey, was inspired by the Islamic State group when he mowed people down in rented truck near the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. ___ Aug. 17, 2017 A rented van veered into Barcelona's crowded Las Ramblas promenade, swerving along the walkway and killing 13 people. Armed with an ax, knives and false explosives belts, attackers then drove a second vehicle to the boardwalk in the resort town of Cambrils early the next day, fatally injuring one person. Five of those attackers were shot to death. Authorities said a cell of at least nine extremists plotted to combine vehicles and explosives in a direct hit on tourists. Islamic State claimed the group as its own. ___ Aug. 12, 2017 A car slammed into a crowd protesting a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, killing 32-year-old legal assistant Heather Heyer. The driver of ...
Source: JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services News - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: News Mass Casualty Incidents Source Type: news