MADRID - Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said the van attack in Barcelona on Thursday that has killed at least 13 people was "jihadist terrorism", which required a global response.

"Today the fight against terrorism is the principal priority for free and open societies like ours. It is a global threat and the response has to be global," Rajoy told a news conference in Barcelona.

He said he would call on other Spanish political parties to reaffirm the country's anti-terrorism pact.

Here's a look at the chaos that ensued in the Spanish city.

A police officer talks to people attending to injured persons at the scene after a van crashed into pedestrians near the Las Ramblas avenue in central Barcelona, Spain August 17, 2017. Reuters/Giselle Loots

People help an injured woman lying on the ground after a van crashed into pedestrians near the Las Ramblas avenue in central Barcelona, Spain August 17, 2017, in this still image from a video obtained from social media. Courtesy of Carlos Tena Gallardo/via Reuters.

People help injured victims lying on the ground after a van crashed into pedestrians near the Las Ramblas avenue in central Barcelona, Spain August 17, 2017, in this still image from a video obtained from social media. Courtesy of Carlos Tena Gallardo/via Reuters.

A dead person is seen at the scene after a van crashed into pedestrians near the Las Ramblas avenue in central Barcelona, Spain August 17, 2017. Reuters/Giselle Loots.

A police officer helps evacuate people after a van crashed into pedestrians near the Las Ramblas avenue in central Barcelona, Spain August 17, 2017. Ana Jimenez/La Vanguardia/via Reuters.

Forensic workers stand near a dead person at the scene after a van crashed into pedestrians near the Las Ramblas avenue in central Barcelona, Spain August 17, 2017. Reuters/Giselle Loots.

Armed Catalonian Mosses de Escuadra officers leave the area where a van crashed into pedestrians at Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, August 18, 2017. Reuters/Sergio Perez.

People wait to enter the area after a van crashed into pedestrians near the Las Ramblas avenue in central Barcelona, Spain August 17, 2017. Picture taken August 17, 2017. Reuters/Stringer.