French police forces and forensic officers stand next to a truck July 15, 2016 that ran into a crowd celebrating the Bastille Day national holiday on the Promenade des Anglais killing at least 60 people in Nice, France, July 14. PHOTO:
Interior ministry spokesperson Pierre-Henry Brandet said 84 people were killed and scores injured, including 18 in "critical condition."
The driver was shot dead after barrelling the truck two kilometres (1.3 miles) through the festive crowd on the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais, sending hundreds fleeing in terror and leaving the area strewn with bodies.
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Authorities said they found identity papers belonging to a 31-year-old French-Tunisian citizen in the truck, as well as "guns" and "larger weapons".
The bloodshed came on Bastille Day, a celebration of everything France holds dear, its secular republic and the values of "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite" (Freedom, Equality, Fraternity).
The attacker struck after a day of military pomp and ceremony in Paris -- where armed forces, tanks and fighter jets swooped down the Champs Elysees avenue -- and spectacular firework displays.
"France was struck on its national day ... the symbol of freedom," said Hollande.
A photograph showed the front of the truck riddled with bullet holes and badly damaged, with burst tyres. A lone doll lay abandoned on the promenade where families celebrated the holiday just hours earlier.
A body is seen on the ground after at least 30 people were killed in the southern French town of Nice when a truck ran into a crowd celebrating the Bastille Day national holiday. PHOTO: REUTERSRobert Holloway, an AFP reporter who witnessed the white truck driving at speed into the crowd, described scenes of "absolute chaos".
"We saw people hit and bits of debris flying around. I had to protect my face from flying debris," he said.
https://twitter.com/alfredwkng/status/753698912670720008
Islamic State video purports to show Paris attackers, threatens Britain
A photograph showed the front of the truck riddled with bullet holes and badly damaged, with burst tyres. A lone doll lay abandoned on the promenade where families celebrated the holiday just hours earlier.
The attack is the third major strike against France in less than 18 months and prosecutors said anti-terrorist investigators would handle the probe.
People cross the street with their hands on thier heads as a French soldier secures the area July 15, 2016 after at least 60 people were killed along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, when a truck ran into a crowd celebrating the Bastille Day national holiday July 14. PHOTO: REUTERSIt comes eight months after Islamic State attacks on Paris nightspots left 130 people dead, dealing a hard blow to tourism in one of the world's top destinations.
Hollande announced he would extend France's state of emergency for three months in the wake of this latest attack and "step up" the government's action against militants in Syria and Iraq.
He also called up army reservists to bolster the country's security services that are stretched to the limit.
France has been under a state of emergency ever since the November 13 Paris carnage, which came after 17 were killed in another attack in January at various sites including the offices of the Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket.
The Islamic State group has repeatedly singled out France as a prime target for its military actions against the group in Iraq and Syria, and hundreds of militants have left France to go and fight in its ranks.
The Mediterranean city of Nice, with its pebble beaches and clear blue water, has been a magnet for sun-seekers and the jet-set since the 19th century.
A concert by popstar Rihanna due Friday was cancelled in the wake of the attack, as well as the Nice Jazz festival.
An Australian caught up in the chaos, Emily Watkins, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that while she saw the truck she did not realise what had happened.
"There was a lot of screams coming from ahead of us where the truck was," she said.
"People were tripping over and trying to get into hotel lobbies and restaurants or car parks or anywhere they could to get away from the street."
The Promenade des Anglais was sealed off, crawling with police and ambulances as authorities from the local Alpes-Maritimes prefecture urged residents to stay indoors.
Over the past week, France had been breathing a sigh of relief after successfully hosting the month-long Euro 2016 football championship, which passed off without incident despite fears of attacks.
The tournament brought an all-too-brief burst of joy to a gloomy France, bogged down after the two attacks in 2015, violent anti-government protests, strikes and floods.
The attack sent shockwaves across the globe with China offering "condolences" and US Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump postponing the announcement of his pick for running mate because of the attack.
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European Council President Donald Tusk said, "It's a sad day for France, for Europe, for all of us."
"The subjects of the attack were people celebrating liberty, equality and fraternity."
Christian Estrosi, a leading regional politician in the area, said on Twitter: "This is the worst drama in the history of Nice with more than 70 victims already."
Il s'agit du pire drame de l'histoire de Nice car plus de 70 victimes sont déjà à déplorer.
— Christian Estrosi (@cestrosi) July 14, 2016
Chers Niçois, de tt cœur aux côtés de chacune & chacun d'entre vous. Ns devons tenir bon. Fier de la solidarité qui s'organise,d'être Niçois
— Christian Estrosi (@cestrosi) July 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/yvnnick/status/753691735302238209
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
Donald Trump's response
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
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
British PM briefed on 'terrible incident' in Nice
British Prime Minister Theresa May is being kept up to date on the "terrible incident" in Nice, a Downing Street spokesperson said Friday.
"Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible incident on what was a day of national celebration," the spokesperson said.
Anti-terror investigators took over the investigations
France's anti-terrorism investigation department was asked to take over inquiries into the attack, as reported by the French media.
Obama condemns 'what appears to be a horrific terrorist attack'
President Barack Obama on Thursday said he condemned the attack and offered any assistance France needs to investigate.
"On behalf of the American people, I condemn in the strongest terms what appears to be a horrific terrorist attack in Nice, France, which killed and wounded dozens of innocent civilians," Obama said in a statement.
Pakistan extends heartfelt condolences to the government and the people of the French Republic
The government of Pakistan condemned, in strongest terms, the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attack on men, women and children in the French city of Nice.
"The government and people of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of the French Republic on this grave tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and we wish speedy recovery to the injured.
"Pakistan stands in solidarity with the French people in this hour of grief," a statement issued by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs read.
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