Barcelona attack: Appeals for missing seven-year-old boy separated from mother during Las Ramblas terror

The family of a seven-year-old British boy who was separated from his mother after the Barcelona attack have made a plea to find the missing boy - as fears grow for his safety after the tragedy.

Julian Alessandro Cadman was out walking with his mother Jom when terrorists rammed a van into the packed Las Ramblas street, leaving at least 13 dead and 100 injured amid the horror.

Theresa May said the authorities in the UK are “urgently looking into reports” that the child, who holds dual British and Australian citizenship, has yet to be accounted for after the attack.

His mother Jom is in hospital after being injured in the attack but is in a serious but stable condition, according to the family.

Ms May spoke out after Julian's grandfather made an appeal on social media for any information about the boy's whereabouts.

Julian’s father Andrew Cadman, from Sydney, said he had spoken to his son only hours before he went missing. He is travelling to Barcelona to search for the boy.

Now Julian’s wider family have launched a social media campaign in a bid to find him as the authorities fear the number of dead in the atrocity in the Spanish city may grow.

His grandfather Tony Cadman, who lives in Sydney but is originally from Gillingham, Dorset, posted his appeal on Facebook.

He wrote: "My Grandson, Julian Alessandro Cadman is missing. Please like and share. We have found Jom (my daughter in law) and she is serious but stable condition in hospital.

“Julian is 7 years old and was out with Jom when they were separated, due to the recent terrorist activity. Please share if you have family or friends in Barcelona.”

Australia’s foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop said one Australian is missing and four others have been injured in the attack in the Spanish city, the capital of Catalonia.

Ms May, speaking from her country residence Chequers, said the UK authorities were "urgently looking into reports" that Julian is missing.

She said: "Sadly I must tell you that we do believe that a number of British nationals were caught up in the attack and we are urgently looking into reports of a child believed missing, who is a British dual national."

The Prime Minister added: "The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Spain in confronting and dealing with the evil of terrorism, and I have offered any assistance we can provide."

Nationalities of 24 countries were among those killed and injured when terrorists ploughed a white Fiat van into crowds on the historic Las Ramblas street, which was packed with tourists.

Citizens from countries including Belgium and Germany were among the dead when terrorists ploughed their vehicle into bystanders along the popular walkway, turning it into a bloodbath.

Isis claimed responsibility for the terror in Barcelona and a separate attack 70 miles away in the coastal resort of Cambrils.