Nice attack as it happened: Truck drives into crowd in Bastille Day celebrations killing at least 84
The death toll has reached 84 with 52 people critically injured in the attack.
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- 84 people are dead after a lorry struck a crowd during Bastille Day celebrations in Nice.
- There are 50 injured, with 18 in a critical condition.
- The attacker has been named as Tunisian-born Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel.
- The suspect is not believed to have been on a terror watch list.
- The incident took place on the famous Promenade des Anglais during a firework display.
- The mayor of Nice and police have advised people to stay indoors.
- The French president Francois Hollande said France has been "left in tears".
- The date of the attack, France's national day of celebration, is seen as symbolic.
- At least 12 children are believed to have been killed.
- World leaders including Barack Obama have joined in condemning the attack.
- The interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said: "We are at war with terrorists who want to strike us at any cost and who are extremely violent."
That concludes IBTimes UK's live coverage of the Nice terror attack. For the latest updates visit IBTimes UK.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest says that Barack Obama has called French President Francois Hollande to "relay his condolences to the people of France on behalf of the American people".
Earnest said it was not known whther the attacker had received instructions from others, and there were no claims of responsibility so far.
He says the secretary of defense and the office of the director of national intelligence succeeded in working with the French to create a better "information-sharing relationship".
"Information sharing among European countries needs to be enhanced," he goes continues, and says it will help to preserve US security.
The Saudi Press Agency is reporting that the kingdom's highest religious body, the Council of Senior Scholars, has codemned the attack in Nice.
In a statement, the body said "Islam magnifies the sanctity of human blood and criminalizes terrorism that kills and terrorizes innocent people in their homes, markets and facilities teeming with men, women and children, and that all humanity rejects and condemns it."
Footage has emerged allegedly showing the truck used in last night's attack being towed away by French authorities.
L'évacuation du camion de l'horreur sur la promenade des anglais. #Nice #NiceAttentat pic.twitter.com/z9oFRjud1J
— Remy Buisine (@RemyBuisine) July 15, 2016
Tunisia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that two males and a female national were killed in the attack.T hey are named as Olfa Bint al Suwayeh Khalafallah, born 1985; Bilal Labaoui, born 1987 and Muhammad ben Abdul Qadr al Toukebri, born 1958.
The Houses of Parliament will be illuminated in the red, white and blue of the French flag tonight in solidarity with France.
From 9pm the Palace of Westminster will be illuminated in the colours of the French flag as a mark of respect following the attack in #Nice
— Commons Press Office (@HoCPress) 15 July 2016
BBC reporter James Longman has tweeted this picture allegedly showing the interior of Bouhlel's flat.
Inside the Bouhlel flat #NiceAttack pic.twitter.com/6LRCQRZFP7
— James Longman (@JamesAALongman) 15 July 2016
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has written to the French embassy to express his condolences.
On behalf of the Labour Party I've written to French Ambassador Sylvie Bermann following the horrific attack in Nice pic.twitter.com/mPZAf1ZDDO
— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) July 15, 2016
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has issued a statement on the attack: "The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with France following this appalling and cowardly attack.
"No country is immune to terrorism and we are united with our French and European partners as we deal with these threats to our countries and our way of life.
"British Embassy staff are on the ground in Nice and in close touch with French authorities."
#attentat : Conférence de presse de François #Molins, le procureur de #Paris, au palais de justice de #Nice06. pic.twitter.com/EU6c7AK7ZH
— Tanguy de Lanlay (@tanguydl) July 15, 2016
The Paris prosecutor has confirmed the identity of the attacker as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel through fingerprinting.
He said that the attacker was known to police but not intelligence services and showed no signs of radicalisation. He said Bouhlel was of Tunisian nationality, divorced, with three children. His ex-wife is currently in protective custody.
He said that there were no claims of responsibility, but the attack resembles those carried out by terror groups.
A Paris prosecutor at a press conference in the French capital said that 84 people have been killed in last night's attack, among them are 10 children. 202 people were injured, with 52 in a critical condition and 25 on life support.
He described the incident as a "terror attack", and said the attacker shot three times at police. Police chased the attacker 300 metres before shooting him dead.
A Facebook page, SOS Nice, has been set up for people looking for relatives missing after the attack.
A British tourist who returned to the UK from Nice today told the Press Association of the moment she witnessed the fatal attack.
She did not want to be named, but told the news service: "My friend said something like, 'Look out, look out'. I saw her face and I saw the truck coming.
"I turned around and there was someone on the side of it as it was hitting people. It had people on the front about to go under it, and then it went straight past with all these bodies on the floor.
"My friend was OK. It carried on a little bit further. There was a man and it had gone over his head. And there was an older lady there and there were two children there who I think were siblings.
"And then it just went really quiet for a moment. A woman started screaming and then I heard machine gun shots. Everybody said, 'Get down, get down'.
"My friend ran and I lost her. My hostel was around the corner. I went there and came back. I saw more people."
Boards in France have displayed signs of solidarity following the attack
Sur les panneaux autoroutiers aux abords de #Nice06... pic.twitter.com/POzUyCSb8t
— Julien Cholin (@jcholin) July 15, 2016
French president Francois Hollande speaking in Nice:
Revoir la déclaration du président @fhollande à Nice après sa rencontre avec les blessés de l'attentat #Nice06 pic.twitter.com/JNn3LT0GqE
— Ãlysée (@Elysee) July 15, 2016
The family of the Texas father and son killed in the attack has released a statement.
Family friend Jess Davis spoke to AP about Sean Copeland, 51, and his son Brodie, 11.
"We are heartbroken and in shock over the loss of Brodie Copeland, an amazing son and brother who lit up our lives, and Sean Copeland, a wonderful husband and father," a Copeland family statement released by Davis said. "They are so loved."
The family had been on a European vacation and were next set to go to Barcelona.
"They had been celebrating Bastille Day in Nice when this unthinkable and unfair act of terror took Sean and Brodie from the world far too soon. It is a terrible loss," Davis said.
Speaking from Nice, French president Francois Hollande warned: "Our enemy will continue to strike."
He said: ""There are many young children among the victims. Their lives were taken to satisfy the cruelty of an individual."
He added: "Until the last moment everything was done to save as many people as possible. We are facing a battle that will be very long. Our enemy will continue to strike."
French president Francois Holland is speaking live about the attack, played on BFMTV.com
According to the Republicain Lorrain, four members from a same family from Herserange (in Meurthe-et-Moselle department) were killed.
Both retired, François et Christiane Locatelli, 82 and 78, were on holidays in the region. They were with their 55-year-old daughter and their 28 grandson when the attack happened.
An evacuation is currently taking place at Nice airport following a suspect package found in Terminal 1.
Full story here:
UPDATE: The lockdown of Nice airport is now over following a false alarm.
Nice airport being evacuated #cbc pic.twitter.com/fgn2jEVgHo
— Thomas Daigle (@thomasdaigle) July 15, 2016
Another victim has been named as mother-of-seven Fatima Charrihi. One of her son's told l'Express magazine: "She wore the veil, followed a moderate Islam. Real Islam. Not that of the terrorists."
Following the attack, the UK's National Police Chief's Council is asking all forces top forces to review major events over the next seven days to "ensure the appropriate security is in place".
DAC Neil Basu, National Operational Lead for Protect and Prepare
"Our thoughts are with the people of Nice, all those affected by last night's horrific attack and the emergency services whose job it was to respond.
"Our counter terrorism officers will do whatever we can to support our French counterparts in the days and weeks that follow as the investigation unfolds. UK policing continues to operate at a heightened state against the backdrop of a severe threat level - that level has been in place since 2014.
"Our policing tactics and security measures are constantly reviewed and we, along with our partners, are working around the clock to keep our cities as safe as can be.
"As I have following previous terrorist incidents, today I have asked all forces to review major events over the next seven days to ensure the appropriate security is in place.
"Help us to keep our towns, cities and communities safe. Remain vigilant when you are out and about and if you see anything suspicious then let us know using the Anti terrorist hotline 0800 789 321 or 999 in an emergency."
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UK prime minister Theresa May has issued a statement on the Nice attack.
She said: "I am shocked and saddened by the horrifying attack in Nice last night. Our hearts go out to the French people, and to all those who have lost loved ones or been injured.
While the full picture is still emerging, it seems that at least 80 people are feared dead and many others have been injured. These were innocent victims enjoying a national celebration with their friends and families.
"We are working urgently to establish whether any British nationals were caught up in the attack. Our ambassador is travelling to Nice today with consular staff and they will be doing all they can to help anyone affected.
"I have asked my Deputy National Security Adviser to chair a COBR meeting of senior officials to review what we know and what we can do to help. And I will speak to President Hollande today and make clear that the United Kingdom stands shoulder to shoulder with France today as we have done so often in the past.
"If, as we fear, this was a terrorist attack then we must redouble our efforts to defeat these brutal murderers who want to destroy our way of life. We must work with France and our partners around the world to stand up for our values and for our freedom."
The Union Flag and the Tricolour are flying at half-mast over 10 Downing Street as a mark of respect following the attack.
Russian student Victoria Savchenko has been named among those killed in yesterday's attack.
Her university, The Financial University, in Russia, issued the following statement: "Victoria Savchenko, a fourth year in the Faculty of Financial Management was seriously injured during the terror attack in Nice, and died. Her friend, also a student of ours, Pauline Serebryannikova hit and is now in hospital.
"We express our deep condolences to the families and friends of the deceased Victoria Savchenko and hope for a speedy recovery Pauline Serebryannikova."
Two buildings have been evacuated around route de Turin in Nice as a bomb disposal team carries out an operation on a rental truck parked 100 metres from where police are carrying out a search, Nice Matin reported.
Opération de déminage en cours route de Turin https://t.co/m0GJEUosT9 #AttentatNice pic.twitter.com/CTqfFxtdwi
— Nice-Matin (@Nice_Matin) July 15, 2016
It is unknown whether this is linked to yesterday's attack.
Travel advice has been issued to Britons and tourists in Nice after a lorry ploughed through a crowd during Bastille Day celebrations in the French Riviera town, killing at least 84 people.
Flowers and candles have been left outside the French Embassy in London.
Candles are lit outside the French Embassy in London, following the #NiceAttack #PrayForNice pic.twitter.com/8D5T8hWym7
— Press Association (@PA) July 15, 2016
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French former president Nicolas Sarkozy has commented on the attack.
He wrote on his Facebook page: "On this day so special for our country where we celebrated our national day, France has once again been hit in his heart.
"Through Nice, of its inhabitants, of its tourists and the famous promenade des anglais, France is the country which has been directly referred last night by Islamist terrorism.
"Like All French, we are seized by an emotion immense and awe in front of this mass murder, which affects whole families and their children and who plunged a whole nation, an entire department, a city and its inhabitants.
"My thoughts go first to the numerous cowardly murdered victims, their families, the injured, but also to our forces of order and the emergency services and to all the elected fully mobilised all the long night.
"In the face of the terrorist barbarity and to individuals willing to do anything to hit France and the French, it is essential to prolong the state of emergency and to use it fully to ensure the safety and protection of the French.
"We are in a war that will last, with a threat that constantly renews itself. The adaptation and the strengthening in the permanence of our device to combat Islamist terrorism remains a top priority. A firmness and exceptional vigilance of every moment and for a long time will be needed. Nothing can be as before."
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French prime minister Manuel Valls has spoken out about the truck attack. He said: "The goal of terrorists is to instil fear and panic.
"But France is a great country and a great democracy that will not allow itself to be destabilised."
French National Front leader Marine Le Pen has released a statement about the attack. The far-right leader said: " I extend my condolences to the families and friends of victims of the attack that struck Nice. My support also goes to all those, including children, who, injured or spared, lived the horror and will be permanently marked.
"July 14, a day of the celebration of our country's liberty, a day of celebration for the French turned yesterday into a day of great sorrow and horror.
"We should not see a succession of terrorist attacks and count the dead without action.
"The war against the scourge of Islamic fundamentalism has not started, it is urgent to declare it now. We must commit to implementing a series of measures that I have already detailed... designed to tackle the source of the phenomenon."
A British national is believed to have been injured in the attack, according to foreign secretary Boris Johnson.
He told ITV: "The only information I have is that there is one UK national who is injured but it is still too early to say at the moment."
The former mayor of Nice and president of the regional Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur wrote to French president Francois Hollande on the eve of the terror attacks to discuss protecting police against terrorists.
Christian Estrosi said there was the need for "great emergency plan to protect our police and give them the means to act," Le Monde reported.
He said: "the lack of equipment must finally be solved, so that every policeman can for example have its own bullet proof vest," adding Hollande must "replace the time of tributes by the time for action" and that: "there is an urgency to improve the working conditions of our national police."
What we know about the suspect so far:
Reportedly, the suspect, whose name appears on a document found in the truck, is a Tunisian national born in 1985, who resided in Nice and had a residence permit.
He fired his 7.65mm when the police tried to intercept it.
He was shot by two officers of the specialist brigade.
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Tens of thousands of people on social media are expressing solidarity with those killed in the Nice attack.
An eyewitness has spoken out about the moment a truck hit crowds in Nice.
Celia Delcourt, 20, from Nice, told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "When the fireworks ended, we went on to the Promenade des Anglais and we started walking and we heard gunshots and we started running from on the other side.
"It was dark. We didn't know what was happening. We thought it was fireworks from another place. We just started running because everybody was running, without knowing what was happening," she added.
"We never thought it will happen in our city, it's crazy. It feels like it's a part of our day since it happened in Paris but we never thought it would happen here."
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Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said in a statement on the Nice attack, reported by the National Catholic Register: "With great concern we have followed throughout this night the terrible news from Nice.
"We express on the behalf of Pope Francis our sympathy and solidarity with the suffering of the victims and of all the French people in what was supposed to be a day of great holiday.
We condemn in the strongest terms every demonstration of senseless violence, hatred, terrorism and every attack against peace."
The emergency meeting of France's National Defence and Security council is underway.
Le Conseil restreint de sécurité et de défense est en cours autour de @fhollande après le terrible attentat de #Nice pic.twitter.com/R4VPYymak9
— Ãlysée (@Elysee) July 15, 2016
MP Owen Smith has announced he is postponing the launch of his campaign for leadership of the Labour Party following the attack.
In light of the heartbreaking news from Nice, I am cancelling today's campaign launch. Solidarité et fraternité avec le peuple Français.
— Owen Smith (@OwenSmith_MP) July 15, 2016
French newspapers this morning
How French newspapers are reporting the Nice attack pic.twitter.com/w494hFz0gc
— RTÃ News (@rtenews) July 15, 2016
News is emerging of the moment people intervened to attempt to stop the truck.
"A person jumped onto the truck to try to stop it," Eric Ciotti told Europe 1 radio, AP reported. "It's at that moment that the police were able to neutralise this terrorist. I won't forget the look of this policewoman who intercepted the killer."
Marseilles has cancelled a firework display planned for this evening in the wake of yesterday's attack.
ð´ Annulation du feu d'artifice prévu ce soir 15 juillet
— Ville de Marseille (@marseille) July 15, 2016
Donald Trump has released further comments on the Nice attack after confirming he would postpone the unveiling of his vice presidential candidate until tomorrow.
Another horrific attack, this time in Nice, France. Many dead and injured. When will we learn? It is only getting worse.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2016
My prayers and condolences to the victims and families of the terrible tragedy in Nice, France. We are with you in every way!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 15, 2016
Afp is reporting that the death toll has now risen to 84.
#BREAKING: Nice truck attack death toll rises to 84: interior ministry
— AFP news agency (@AFP) July 15, 2016
Witness reports have emerged throughout the night of the stampede and carnage on the waterfront of Nice.
Witnesses have described people being knocked down "like skittles at a bowling alley".
Ismali Khalidi, an American-Palestinian writer who was in the southern French city to visit his sister, told the Guardian: "All of a sudden we saw essentially a stampede of people coming along the Promenade de Anglais. The stampede just sort of kept coming ... we are talking families, hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people."
The new Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has tweeted his reaction to the events in Nice.
Shocked and saddened by the appalling events in Nice, and the terrible loss of life.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 15, 2016
Orlando police have sent a message of sympathy, the attack in Nice coming only weeks after the city in Florida fell victim to its own terror attack.
Our hearts are breaking for the people of France, again. OPD stands with you & grieves with you. #Nice #BastilleDay pic.twitter.com/WcHYGcUxKx
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) July 14, 2016
People have been turning to twitter to find out information about people who were in Nice who may have been among the victims, going to the handle @nicefindpeople.
ON RECHERCHE FLORENCE, LAURENT ET ALEXIS CE SOIR #Nice06 #PortesOuvertesNice #Nice pic.twitter.com/TVt0jaqV7m
— NICE FIND PEOPLE (@NICEFINDPEOPLE) July 14, 2016
Théo 15 ans en vacance a côté de Nice si vous l'avez vu merci de me tenir au courant en dm #Nice06 #Attentat pic.twitter.com/nWPNDpKfJO
— lisouilleee (@caamts) July 14, 2016
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The image of the truck that was used in the attack is pictured with bullet holes in the front and surrounded by forensic officers. The driver of the lorry was killed. Police are investigating whether he was acting alone.
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Leaders attending the ASEAN summit in Ulaan Baator Mongolia, stand for a minute's silence for the victims of the attack in Nice.
The cover of the local Nice-Matin newspaper tells of a city's shock and trauma.
Cover of @Nice_Matin this morning after Thursday's #NiceAttack pic.twitter.com/TeEX5uS6ic
— Roland Wyn Jones (@JonesRoly) July 15, 2016
Presidential candidate and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has responded to the tragic events in Nice.
She said: "I think it is clear we are at war with these terrorist groups and what they represent. It is a different kind of war and we need to be smart about how we wage it and win it. So I think we need to look at all possible approaches to doing just that."
The French Interior Minister Bernard Cazenueve said the death toll has risen to 80 with 18 remaining in critical condition,
To help process the massive crime scene, in which a truck ploughed into a crowded street, Cazenueve said he was sending 60 investigative officials to the city, and that all public demonstrations will be banned in the coming days.
A public prosecutor would be put in charge of disseminating updates on the investigation moving forward.
"We knew that the threat of terrorism remained very high," he said, adding that France "must continue to be mobilized — we are at war with terrorists," Cazenueve said.
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Britain's Foreign Office issued an alert warning British citizens in the Nice area in France to follow the instructions of the French authorities after a Bastille Day attack killed 77 in the Riviera city.
"We are in touch with the local authorities and seeking more information following an apparent attack on a Bastille Day celebration in Nice. If you are in the area follow the instructions of the French authorities," the Foreign Office said in updated travel advice on France.
In a televised address, the French president Francois Hollande has confirmed 77 people have died "including children" and 20 people are wounded.
"France has been struck on the day of her national holiday... the symbol of liberty. We show our solidarity towards the victims and their families. All means are being deployed to help the wounded.
"France as a whole is under the threat of Islamic terrorism. We have to demonstrate absolute vigilance and show determination that is unfailing. France is in tears".
He said that the state of emergency that was set to be lifted on 26 July will be extended for a further three months.
Both French TV station BFM and local newspaper Nice-Matin are reporting that the driver is a 31-year-old with dual French-Tunisian nationality.
A police source is quoted as saying that an ID card was found inside the truck. Reports say the man was a Nice resident.
INFO NICE-MATIN. Un Niçois d'origine tunisienne au volant du camion #AttentatNice https://t.co/hklMbEMcO1 pic.twitter.com/fOIQNS5UN4
— Nice-Matin (@Nice_Matin) July 15, 2016
France was due to lift its state of emergency on 25 July, which it had put in place after the Bataclan attacks in November 2015.
Earlier on Thursday, President Francois Hollande said the measures could not be extended indefinitely. "It would make no sense. That would mean we're no longer a republic with the rule of law applied in all circumstances."
Christian Estrosi, president of the region and mayor of Nice, says that the death toll has reached 77. There are 50 injured with 15 people in a critical condition.
Le dernier bilan de ce terrible attentat s'élève à 77 victimes décédées.
— Christian Estrosi (@cestrosi) July 15, 2016
The French Ambassador to the US has commented.
Amb. @GerardAraud: Our thoughts are with the victims and with our country and its values. We mustn't succumb to fear pic.twitter.com/62EItcONQX
— French Embassy U.S. (@franceintheus) July 15, 2016
The Negresco hotel has been transformed into a makeshift hospital.
#NiceAttentat : dans le hall du Negresco transformé en hôpital. Les témoins sont entendus par les enquêteurs pic.twitter.com/FsBjNfRVQw
— Alban Mikoczy (@AlbanMikoczy) July 14, 2016
The Negresco hotel has been transformed into a makeshift hospital.
#NiceAttentat : dans le hall du Negresco transformé en hôpital. Les témoins sont entendus par les enquêteurs pic.twitter.com/FsBjNfRVQw
— Alban Mikoczy (@AlbanMikoczy) July 14, 2016
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IBTimes UK has collated a series of images of the scenes of the aftermath of the truck attack in Nice on the French Riviera.
The US Embassy in France has issued a statement which says: "We urge US citizens in Nice to contact family members and loved ones to notify them that you are safe, avoid the area, to monitor local press for updates, and to exercise caution if you are in the vicinity."
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Terrorism expert Claude Moniquet has told the BBC that it is "pretty clear" it was a terror attack and that while there is no confirmation of guns or grenades being found, if that were true, it would indicate a "more elaborate" and "more professional" plot.
President Obama has released a statement on the attack, only a few minutes before he is due to go into a live town hall discussion on race and policing.
Tweet:
.@POTUS on the attack in Nice, France: pic.twitter.com/CrbChxZs04
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 14, 2016
The central hospital in Nice has released a number for families of the victims.
Le Planc Blanc a été déclenché, le numéro de téléphone pour les familles :
— CHU de Nice (@CHUdeNice) July 14, 2016
04 93 72 22 22
Anti-terrorism investigators have taken over the investigation but the French interior ministry has denied rumours that hostages were taken.
Interior ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet told AFP: "There is no hostage-taking. An individual drove a truck into the crowd. He was killed by police.
"Investigations are currently under way to establish if the individual acted alone or if he had accomplices who might have fled," Brandet said.
The president of the region Christian Estrosi says the truck in Nice was loaded with weapons and grenades, according to AP. He said the truck had been driven by someone who appeared to have "completely premeditated behaviour".
He told BFM TV: "The driver fired on the crowd, according to the police who killed him."
Reuters is reporting that anti-terrorist investigators have taken over the attack probe. The front page of the Paris newspaper Le Parisien reflects the gravity of the tragic attack.
Tomorrows Le Parisien front page pic.twitter.com/ASvbfkPsQO
— Hugh Whitfeld (@hughwhitfeld) July 14, 2016
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has tweeted his solidarity with the victims of the tragic attack in Nice. He writes: "Deep sadness in light of the attack in Nice. Solidarity with Nice residents and those from the Alpes-Maritimes region."
Emotion profonde et tristesse infinie face à l'attaque à #Nice06. Solidarité à l'égard des #Niçois et des habitants des Alpes-Maritimes.
— Nicolas Sarkozy (@NicolasSarkozy) July 14, 2016
Donald Trump has postponed his unveiling of the Vice President tomorrow in light of attacks.
In light of the horrible attack in Nice, France, I have postponed tomorrow's news conference concerning my Vice Presidential announcement.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2016
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The local Prefecture described the slaughter as a "terrorist attack" but an interior ministry spokesman, Pierre-Henry Brandet, said it was too early to be certain of the killers' motives.
The Telegraph reported how a gunman reportedly got out of the lorry and fired into the crowd on the seafront Promenade des Anglais, saying that he was shot dead by police. There are reports that an accomplice had fled and that guns and grenades were found in the lorry.
I-Tele have now raised the death toll to over 70, according to Sky News. The newspaper Nice Matin has tweeted images of police officers at the scene on the Promenade des Anglais.
Les forces de police en action près de la Promenade des Anglais #AttaquesNice #Nice06 pic.twitter.com/ScymdeUFYp
— Nice-Matin (@Nice_Matin) July 14, 2016
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Damien Allemand a reporter from the newspaper Nice-Matin was quoted as saying: "People are running. It's panic. He rode up on to the Prom and piled into the crowd ... There are people covered in blood. There must be many injured."
Reuters is reporting that the French President Hollande is heading for interior ministry crisis centre.
One reporter from Agence France Press described the moment that a white van drove into the crowd, saying: "We saw people hit and bits of debris flying around," he said, adding that the incident took place near the Hotel Negresco.
"Terrified pedestrians screamed as they fled the area. "It was absolute chaos," he said.
The journalist Edouard de Mareschal has tweeted that according to a police source, one of the culprits fled the scene and has taken hostages.
Attentat de Nice:
— Ãdouard de Mareschal (@edemareschal) July 14, 2016
Au moins 40 morts, un suspect abattu et des tireur en fuite. Prise d'otage en cours, selon une source policière.
The regional president Christian Estrosi has warned people to stay indoors.
Cher niçois, le chauffeur d'un camion semble avoir fait des dizaines de morts. Restez pour le moment à votre domicile. Plus d'infos à venir
— Christian Estrosi (@cestrosi) July 14, 2016
The mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo has tweeted her condolences and sympathy. She writes: "On behalf of all Parisians, we give all our support to the people of Nice. Our cities are united."
Au nom des Parisiens, tout notre soutien le plus fraternel au peuple niçois. Nos villes sont unies.
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) July 14, 2016
There are differing accounts as the death toll which cannot yet be verified. The Drudge Report has put it as high as 60.
REPORT: Hostages in hotel, restaurant... https://t.co/1rpDrs67U3
— DRUDGE REPORT (@DRUDGE_REPORT) July 14, 2016
The French police have tweeted a message urging people not to broadcast shocking images on social networks.
#Nice06 Ne propagez pas des rumeurs et ne diffusez pas des images ou photos choquantes sur les réseaux sociaux.
— GendarmerieNationale (@Gendarmerie) July 14, 2016
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