Arizona, Oregon State men's basketball reported safe during foreign tours of Barcelona
Both the Arizona and Oregon State men's basketball teams posted on Twitter Thursday morning that all members of their travel parties are safe after a deadly van attack in Barcelona, Spain. The Associated Press is reporting 13 people have died and more than 50 more were injured after a van intentionally hit pedestrians in a popular tourist district.
The Beavers, who had just begun a 13-day, five-game tour of Spain, were the first to report they were safe. Hours later, head coach Wayne Tinkle posted a short video on reassuring family and friends that they were safe despite the fact that their hotel overlooked the scene of the attack.
A message from @BeaverMBB Head Coach @waynetinkle following today's incident in Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/vbiIghuLtF
— Go Beavs (@BeaverAthletics) August 17, 2017
The Wildcats followed up OSU's initial tweet with their own confirmation this morning that their group was unaffected.
Our entire travel party is safe and accounted for following the situation in Barcelona today. Our thoughts are with the people affected.
— Arizona Basketball (@APlayersProgram) August 17, 2017
In an email press release, Arizona echoed the sentiments of their tweet and also added the team would be returning to the United States prior to their original departure date of Aug. 19:
We have decided to cancel our third and final exhibition of the tour and are currently working on travel plans to return home.