Laila Rouass, the Indian-origin British actress, hid in a restaurant freezer during the terror attack at Barcelona in Spain on Thursday and tweeted live updates. The 46-year-old actress narrated the horror as she heard gunshots fired around her.
The former Holby City actress, who began her career in the showbiz as a Channel V anchor in India in the early 1990s, was visiting the city on a holiday with her 10-year-old daughter Inez Khan. Rouass is married to snooker star Ronnie O’Sullivan.
“Gunshots just heard”
“In the middle of the attack. Hiding in a restaurant freezer. Happened so fast. Praying for the safety of everyone here,” she posted on Twitter just after the attack began. Her next tweet said, “Gunshots just heard. Armed police running down the street looking for someone.”
In the middle of the attack. Hiding in a restaurant freezer. Happened so fast. Praying for the safety of everyone here x
— Laila Rouass (@lailarouass) August 17, 2017
She later thanked the staff of the restaurant where she took shelter.
Thank you to the staff at the restaurant for staying calm and keeping us safe. I love you Barcelona.
— Laila Rouass (@lailarouass) August 17, 2017
Photo Credit: Twitter
Born to a Moroccan father and Indian mother, Rouass also appeared in Footballers’ Wives from 2004 to 2006. She was also a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, and stood fourth in 2009. She got married to O’Sullivan in 2012.
The attack on the tourist street of Las Ramblas led to 13 deaths and injuries to many after a man drove a van into a crowd of people. Among the victims were people from over 34 countries, including France, Germany, Pakistan and the Philippines. This was the first of the two attacks that the country faced, the second one taking place in Cambrils on Friday, when a car ploughed through a crowd, killing a woman and injuring several. Police shot dead five terrorists.
Spain’s Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido said the country will maintain Level-4 security alert level, one step below the maximum level that signals an imminent attack. The government would enhance security at tourist destinations and popular locations, he added. “We are going to redirect our efforts and will adapt these to every place or area that needs special protection,” he told the media.