Nice attack: Driver of truck named as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel

The driver of a truck who killed at least 84 people by ploughing through a busy Nice street during Bastille day celebrations has been named as 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, according to French media.

Police previously said the suspect was known to the police for common crimes such as theft and violence, but is not believed to have been on a terror watch list, a source told Reuters.

He is reported to have hired the truck used to kill those on the Promenade des Anglais a few days before attack. "The truck was rented in the last few days in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur," a police source told AFP.

Police have also carried out a raid on the suspect's flat in the north of Nice. A number of his relatives are also being held by police and further searches are underway in the area.

Bouhel was shot dead by armed officers after opening fire on police. Eyewitnesses describe seeing the driver "zigzagging" down the street in order to hit as many people as possible and people getting mowed down "like skittles at a bowling alley".

An ID was found inside the truck by police reportedly belonging to a Franco-Tunisian man, aged 31, who was born in 1985. According to French media, Bouhel is married with three children and described as "not very religious".

French President Francois Hollande said the attack in the seafront city was "clearly a terrorist attack" after the driver targeted families who were taking part in the 14 July celebrations marking the start of the 1798 revolution.

He added: "Nothing will make us yield in our will to fight terrorism. We will further strengthen our actions in Iraq and in Syria. We will continue striking those who attack us on our own soil."

For the latest news on the attack follow the IBTimes UK live blog.