World Trade Center salutes Spain with red, yellow after Barcelona attack

Aug. 18 (UPI) -- The spire of New York City's One World Trade Center glowed red and yellow late Thursday -- Spain's national colors -- to honor those who died in a terrorist attack in Barcelona.

New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered the 408-foot spire atop the 1,776-foot skyscraper be bathed in the colors of the Spanish flag "in solidarity with the people of Spain."

Thirteen people died Thursday when a van drove into a crowd of pedestrians in Barcelona's Las Ramblas district. Police said they consider it a terrorist attack.

In a statement, Cuomo added that state law enforcement officials have increased "security and patrols at high-profile locations across New York, including our airports, bridges, tunnels and mass transit systems."

There was a visible increased police presence on Thursday evening in New York City's Times Square.

Extra security was also placed at sites linked to the Spanish government, including the Spanish mission to the United Nations. Other high profile cities in Europe and around the world -- including Rome and Rio de Janiero -- also employed extra security in Barcelona's aftermath.