The police have arrested a Swedish man after he stole a butane lorry in Barcelona and drove 3km the wrong way down a one-way system.

He was eventually stopped after the police fired seven shots, three of which disabled the engine.

It appears that the 32-year-old Swede, identified as Joakim R.B., and who was not armed, was not on a terrorist mission but has mental health issues and acted under the influence of drugs, either prescribed for his condition, or of a recreational kind.

The man has been confined to a hospital ward under observation until he can be transferred to a mental institution.

The vehicle was stolen on Calle Vilà Vilà just after 10.30h this morning (21st Feb.) and driven for 10 minutes down a 1-way-system in such a manner that several gas bottle were lost, as well as collisions with other vehicles. Three people were also slightly injured.

Motorbike policemen from the Guardia Urbana gave chase whilst other units took action to prevent the lorry from reaching more congested streets in the very centre of the city.

(News: Metropolitan Area, Barcelona, Catalonia)