The death toll from last night’s attack in the French city of Nice has risen to 84 with scores others in critical condition.
A large truck plunged into crowds celebrating Bastille Day in Nice killing the huge number of people, including several children, before the driver was gunned down by police.
Authorities said the man had been firing on the crowd and police as he drove, and that the truck was loaded with weapons and grenades. Unverified reports said the rifles were fake and the grenade was “inactive”.
The police are still trying to determine if the attacker had accomplices.
Witnesses said the driver was zigzagging, possibly in a an attempt to hit as many people as possible.
He reportedly drove into the crowd for two kilometres at a speed of around 50km/h.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
François Hollande, the French president, described the attack as a “monstrosity” and said soldiers would be deployed to support gendarmes and police, particularly at the country’s borders. He said the attack was “terrorist in nature” and vowed France would always be stronger than the fanatics that want to attack her.
He extended the country’s state of emergency, which was due to expire on July 26, for three months.
