 |
A
truck ploughed through a large group of people in Nice during a suspected
terrorist attack which claimed 'dozens of lives'
|
The French Interior
Ministry has announced the death toll has reached 84.
RT News reports that scores of people have been
killed and dozens more injured after a truck plowed through a crowd during
Bastille Day celebrations in Nice, in what has been called “the worst attack”
in the city’s history. A truck driver has been killed by police.
 |
| #Nice #truck travelled 2km through crowd before driver was shot by police |
'France In Tears'
After Bastille Day Lorry Attack Kills At Least 80
Press
Association reports that at least 80 people, including several children, are
dead after a suspected terror attack on Bastille Day celebrations in Nice,
France.
A
further 18 people are in a critical condition and French president Francois
Hollande said the country's state of emergency would be extended for a another
three months.
A
lorry hit crowds who had gathered to celebrate the French national day in the
Mediterranean city on Thursday night.
Mr
Hollande led a wave of tributes from world leaders saying: "France has
been hit by a tragedy once again. This monstrosity of using a lorry to
deliberately kill people, many people, who only came out to celebrate their
national day.
"France
is in tears. It is hurting but it is strong, and she will be strong, always
stronger than the fanatics who wish to hurt us."
He
also said that a military operation was in place that would allow the
mobilization of 10,000 military officers and that police from across the
country would be called to assist their colleagues in Nice.
The
country borders will be tightened and would show "real force and military
action in Syria and Iraq", Mr Hollande said.
Regional
hospitals have been warned to expect an influx of the injured and the president
urged citizens to be aware of security over the busy national holiday weekend.
In
a press conference at the scene, French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve
said that the identification of the criminal was in progress, refusing to
confirm reports that an ID card was found after police shot dead the lorry
driver, and added that more information on the issue would come from the
prosecutor's office.
"We
are in a war with terrorists who want to strike us at any price and in a very
violent way," the minister said.
French
prosecutors earlier said they had launched a terrorism investigation after the
lorry careered through the packed seafront for hundreds of yards as crowds
watched fireworks.
Nice
regional president Christian Estrosi said guns and grenades were found in the
lorry, whose driver was shot dead by police.
The
politician, who was at the celebration when the carnage happened, said:
"This is the worst Nice drama of history.
"We
are terrified and we want to present to all the families our sincere
condolences.
Nice
prosecutor Jean-Michel Prette said bodies were strewn about along the road.
Mr
Brandet said no hostages had been taken and the lorry driver had been
"neutralised", adding that authorities were investigating if he acted
alone.
Pictures
and footage shown on social media showed crowds fleeing in terror from the
scene on the Promenade des Anglais, which was busy with revellers celebrating
and watching fireworks.
Eyewitnesses
reported hearing gunshots and pictures on social media showed armed police with
weapons trained on a badly damaged white lorry with bullet holes in the
windscreen.
France
is still on alert after the Paris terror attacks on November 13, in which 130
people were killed at sites including the Bataclan Theatre and Stade de France.
The
state of emergency initiated after those attacks which has now been extended
was due to be lifted later this month.
Lawyer
Harjit Sarang was among those caught up in the terror with her children.
The
Londoner tweeted: "Running through crowds in Nice with kids and terrified.
Never taking kids to a public event again. Finally back to hotel. Hate
this!"
A
Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are deeply concerned about reports of
an incident in Nice and are in touch with the local authorities to seek more
information.
"Our
thoughts are with those affected and we stand by to help any British
nationals."
A
Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister is being kept updated
on reports coming in from Nice.
"We
are shocked and concerned by the scenes there. Our thoughts are with all those
affected by this terrible incident on what was a day of national celebration.
"The
FCO are in touch with the local authorities to seek more information and we
stand ready to help any British nationals and to support our French
partners."
New
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson tweeted that he was "shocked and saddened
by the appalling events in Nice, and the terrible loss of life".
A
Rihanna concert scheduled for Friday night at the Allianz Riviera stadium in
Nice has been cancelled, as have the city's jazz festival which was due to run
from Saturday to Wednesday and some of the Bastille celebrations over the
weekend.
Briton
Will Shore told BBC Radio 4: "It was quite chaotic really. There was a lot
of people screaming, running around and people were kind of being pushed over,
I think, from people just being so frightened about what was going on
especially after hearing the gunshots.
"I
had to help a couple of people up who were in distress on the floor because
everyone was in such a panic."
Kevin
Harris watched the attack unfold from his balcony.
He
told the BBC: "I saw what appeared to be be bodies in the lying in the
road.
"I
spoke to my neighbour who said the lorry had ploughed through the people.
"It's a terrible
scene."
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