At least 84 people have been reportedly killed and dozens injured after a truck careered along Nice's packed waterfront, ran into hundreds of people.
According to French President, Francois Hollande said there are children among the dead and went on to describe attack as monstrous "terrorist" act.
Video footage shows police trying to stop the lorry before it picks up speed, slamming into revelers gathered along the city's famous waterside Promenade des Anglais for a Bastille Day fireworks display.
The driver zig-zagged along the promenade for some two kilometres (1.3 miles), mowing people down along the way, according to Nice prosecutor Jean-Michel Pretre.
Several officials say he then emerged from the vehicle and started shooting, sending hundreds of panic stricken men, women and children running in terror.
"We almost died. It was like hallucinating (the lorry) zig-zagged," an eyewitness told i-Tele.
"You had no idea where it was going. My wife a metre away she was dead.
"The lorry ripped through everything. Poles, trees, we have never seen anything like it in our lives. Some people were hanging on the door trying to stop it."
A journalist by the name Damien Allemand, who was at the waterside, said the fireworks display had finished and the crowd had got up to leave when they heard a noise and cries.
"A fraction of a second later, an enormous white truck came along at a crazy speed, turning the wheel to mow down the maximum number of people," he said.
"I saw bodies flying like bowling pins along its route. Heard noises, cries that I will never forget."
Dead people on the ground including injured ones
According to French President, Francois Hollande said there are children among the dead and went on to describe attack as monstrous "terrorist" act.
Video footage shows police trying to stop the lorry before it picks up speed, slamming into revelers gathered along the city's famous waterside Promenade des Anglais for a Bastille Day fireworks display.
The driver zig-zagged along the promenade for some two kilometres (1.3 miles), mowing people down along the way, according to Nice prosecutor Jean-Michel Pretre.
Several officials say he then emerged from the vehicle and started shooting, sending hundreds of panic stricken men, women and children running in terror.
"We almost died. It was like hallucinating (the lorry) zig-zagged," an eyewitness told i-Tele.
"You had no idea where it was going. My wife a metre away she was dead.
"The lorry ripped through everything. Poles, trees, we have never seen anything like it in our lives. Some people were hanging on the door trying to stop it."
A journalist by the name Damien Allemand, who was at the waterside, said the fireworks display had finished and the crowd had got up to leave when they heard a noise and cries.
"A fraction of a second later, an enormous white truck came along at a crazy speed, turning the wheel to mow down the maximum number of people," he said.
"I saw bodies flying like bowling pins along its route. Heard noises, cries that I will never forget."
Screams and cries can be heard as dazed witnesses lean over the bodies, looking for survivors.
Items of clothing and shoes are scattered across the blood stained pavement.
French officials say the driver was shot dead by police at the scene, with images showing the windscreen of the 25-tonne lorry riddled with bullet holes.
The alleged truck
Several weapons, guns and grenades were found inside the vehicle, Christian Estrosi, president of the region, has confirmed.
There has been no claim of responsibility, however, a police source has identified the attacker as a 31-year-old Franco Tunisian born in Tunisia.
"I express in the name of the nation, our tears, solidarity, with the victims and the families," Mr Hollande said.
He pledged to strengthen France's role in Syria and Iraq and extended the nation's state of emergency imposed after November's attacks in Paris for a further three months.
Reports says 18 people are currently in a critical condition, with hospitals in the area appealing for blood donations.
The hashtag #RecherchesNice has been started for people still looking for loved ones.
"This is the worst disaster in the history of Nice as more than 84 people have already lost their lives, killed by the driver as he fired at the crowds ahead of him," Mr Estrosi said in a statement.
"We are terrified and we want to express our sincere condolences to the families involved.
"Today, we must act. We are currently in touch with the State authorities who are dealing with this crisis".
Prosecutors in Paris has office opened an investigation for "murder, attempted murder in an organised group linked to a terrorist enterprise".
French intelligence agency and judicial police are said to be handling the probings.
France were feeling relieved after a successful conclusion of the Euro 2016 without any issue of attacks, before what is described by France president as monstrous "terrorist" act happened.
No comments:
Post a Comment