Terrorist Attack In France Leaves 84 Dead
At least 84 people have been killed and dozens more injured in what is described as a terrorist attack in the French riviera city of Nice.
The attack happened at a Bastille Day celebration on the Promenade de Anglais last night, when a person driving a truck plowed through the crowd that had gathered to watch the fireworks display.
Reports are suggesting that the driver of the truck – who has not yet been identified – had driven for close to a mile, smashing everyone in it’s path.
It is reported that 84 people have died and that there are at least 18 more that have been critically injured.
According to witnesses, police tried in vain to stop the driver of the truck as it plowed through the crowds. However, police eventually started shooting at the truck and the driver was eventually killed.
According to Christian Estrosi, who is the mayor of Nice, authorities also found guns and grenades in the back of the truck, suggesting that the driver had planned a more severe attack, had he not been killed by police.
All that is known at this stage about the driver is that he is a 31-year old French-Tunisian male.
Following the attacks, French president, Francois Hollande, said that France would extend its state of emergency by three months. He also declared three days of national mourning.
France has declared a state of emergency since November of last year, when the Paris terrorist attacks took place.
He also said that while France “may be hurting, she is strong” and called on all french people to stick together in the face of terrorism.
“…France is afflicted, but France is strong, and France will always be stronger than the fanatics that want to strike France today,” he said in a statement which he read on national television.
World leaders across the globe have also strongly condemned the attacks, including US president, Barack Obama and newly elected British Prime Minister, Theresa May.
Christian Etrosi also confirmed that at least 10 of the people killed in the attack were children.
This is a developing story. The identity of the attacker has not yet been identified and it is not yet known for sure if he had any ties to any specific terrorist group.
