At least 84 people have been killed and 50 injured, with 18 in a critical condition, after a truck ploughed into a large crowd of people celebrating Bastille Day in southern France on 15 July. The attack took place on the side of a road close to the Promenade des Anglais. The French interior Ministry confirmed that the driver of the truck was shot dead by police. In a tweet it was also confirmed that no hostages have been taken but investigators are currently looking for a potential accomplice. According to AP, the long-distance delivery truck was filled with arms and grenades. This has not been officially confirmed as yet.
The attack happened as spectators gathered to watch a Bastille Day fireworks display at the city's landmark promenade, which runs some four miles along the waterfront. Eye witnesses said the truck was driven at high speed for over 100 metres before it rammed directly into the crowd from a distance at high speed. The truck is said to have been "riddled with bullets" as the driver was "neutralised."
Police officers, firefighters and rescue workers are seen at the site of an attack on the Promenade des AnglaisValery Hache/ AFP
Witnesses have described a scene of carnage with "bodies everywhere". Graphic images of bodies strewn across the promenade have been published by local newspaper Le Parisien while shocking video has emerged on social media showing the extent of the carnage as authorities report that the death toll is expected to rise.
Police and emergency services forces are at the scene attending to the injured. Police checks are being carried out on all vehicles in the area while security forces carry out searches on individuals.
Residents of the Mediterranean city close to the Italian border have been advised to stay indoors as Nice is in lockdown . Reuters reports French President Hollande is returning to Paris from Avignon for emergency talks interior ministry crisis center following the latest attack on the people of France. Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said The US president Barack Obama has been appraised of the situation.
The central hospital in Nice has released a number for families of the victims - 04 93 72 22 22.
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French investigating police conduct a search for clues around a truck, the day after a heavy a truck ran into a crowd at high speed killing scores and injuring more who were celebrating the Bastille Day national holiday in NiceJean-Pierre Amet/ ReutersFrench police officers and French gendarmes stand near a truck in a street of NiceAnne-Christine Poujoulat/ AFPFrench police officers stand guard at the entrance of a building in Nice, southern France, where the man who drove a truck into a crowd watching a fireworks display the day before reportedly livedAnne-Christine Poujoulat/ AFPFrench CRS police secure the heavy truck that ran into a crowdEric Gaillard/ Reuters
A doll lies next to a covered body on the ground in NiceEric Gaillard/Reuters
Policemen walk on the site where a truck drove into a crowd watching a fireworks display on the Promenade des Anglais seafront in the French Riviera town of NiceValery Hache/ AFP
A doll lies next to a covered body on the ground in NiceEric Gaillard/ReutersForensics experts evacuate a dead body on the Promenade des Anglais seafront in the French Riviera town of NiceBoris Horvat/ AFPA man walks through debris on the street the day after a truck drove into a crowd at high speed killing scores celebrating the Bastille DayEric Gaillard/ ReutersForensics officers and policemen look for evidences near a truck on the Promenade des Anglais seafront in the French Riviera town of NiceAnne-Christine Poujoulat/ AFPFrench President Francois Hollande gives a statement following the attack in Nice, during a national television address in ParisReutersPolice officers and rescue workers stand near the van that ploughed into a crowd leaving a fireworks display in the French Riviera town of NiceValery Hache/ AFPRescue workers help an injured woman into an ambulanceValery Hache/ AFPPeople cross the street with their hands on thier heads as a French soldier secures the areaJean-Pierre Amet/ ReutersA soldier stands guard near the site of the attackValery Hache/ AFPFrench Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve speaks to the media in NiceAnne-Christine Poujoulat/ AFPA vehicle of the Raid special intervention unit of the French police is seen near the site of the attackValery Hache/ AFPFrench police forces and forensic officers stand next to a truck that ran into a crowd during Bastille Day celebrations on the Promenade des AnglaisEric Gaillard/ ReutersPolice officers stand near a van, with its windscreen riddled with bullets, that ploughed into a crowd leaving a fireworks display in the French Riviera town of NiceValery Hache/ AFPAn injured person is seen on the ground after a heavy truck ran into a crowd at high speed killing scores celebrating the Bastille DayEric Gaillard/ ReutersBullet impacts are seen on the heavy truck the day after it ran into a crowd at high speed killing scores celebrating the Bastille DayEric Gaillard/ ReutersFrench police continue their investigation as they gather clues the day after a truck at high speed ran into a crowd celebrating the Bastille DayEric Gaillard/ ReutersFrench soldiers and police secure the area in NiceEric Gaillard/ Reuters
Sebastien Humbert, the prefect for the Alpes-Maritime area has told BFM TV: “A truck rammed into the crowd over a long distance, which explains this extremely heavy toll.”AFP/Getty
The mayor of the French city of Nice said dozens of people were likely killed after a van rammed into a crowd marking Bastille Day in the French Riviera resort today and urged residents to stay indoors.AFP/Getty
A helicopter flying near the site of an attack in the French Riviera town of NiceAFP/Getty
An injured individual is seen on the ground after at least 70 people were killed in Nice, France, when a truck ran into a crowd celebrating the Bastille Day national holiday July 14, 2016REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
French soldiers advance on the street after at least 70 people were killed in Nice, France when a truck ran into a crowd celebrating the Bastille Day national holiday.Reuters
The body of a person lies on the ground after a van drove into a crowd watching a fireworks displayAFP/Getty
Police officers carry out checks on vehicles in the centre of French Riviera town of Nice,AFP/Getty
A man walks with his hands up as police officers carry out checks on people in the centre of French Riviera town of Nice, after a van that ploughed into a crowd leaving a fireworks display on July 14, 2016.AFP/Getty
Police officers and security officers at the scene in Nice where a van ploughed into a crowd leaving a fireworks displayAFP/Getty
People are in shock in the French Riviera town of Nice after a van drove into a crowd watching a fireworks display killing and injuring hundreds .AFP/Getty
A pictured posted on Twitter of the truck@Nice_Matin
A picture re taken on July 14, 2016 shows a flash of lightning as fireworks light up the sky over the French riviera just moments before the attack on NiceAFP/Getty
