Terrorism Hits France: More than 80 Dead as Lorry Hits Crowd

Local Editor

A lorry struck a crowd after Bastille Day celebrations in the southern French city of Nice, killing at least 84 people, including children, and injuring about 50 people, 18 of them critically.

It happened on the famous Promenade des Anglais after a firework display. The driver was shot dead and guns and grenades were found inside the lorry.

Eventually, French President François Hollande extended a state of emergency across France by three months.

France had been on high alert following last November's attacks in Paris in which 130 people died and hundreds were wounded.

Commenting on the terrorist crime, Hollande said that: "France is badly hit, we need to do everything we can to fight such attacks."

The president added that "operational reserves" would be deployed to support the army and security forces across the country, with particular focus on the borders.

Prosecutor Jean-Michel Pretre said the lorry drove 2km through a large crowd, the AFP news agency reported.

For his part, Interior Ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet denied earlier reports of hostage situations and said the driver of the lorry had been "neutralized".

He added that officials were investigating whether the driver acted alone.

No group has so far claimed responsibility, however prosecutors said the inquiry would be handled by anti-terror investigators.

US President Barack Obama condemned "in the strongest terms" what he said appeared to be "a horrific terrorist attack in Nice", the White House said.

European Council President Donald Tusk condemned the attack, saying "it's a tragic paradox that the subject of this attack were people celebrating liberty, equality and fraternity".

On Friday, flags in France will be flying at half-mast.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team