MORE THAN 70 are believed to have been killed in an attack in the south of France as people celebrated Bastille Day.
Deeply upsetting footage shows bodies laid out all along a promenade in Nice some lying in pools of blood after a truck mowed into a crowd of people spreading fears of another terrorist attack.
Eyewitnesses say gunmen in the truck opened fire after hitting the crowd and a shootout with police followed.
It is understood the truck was weaving from side to side as it ploughed into the crowd over a distance of more than a mile. Reports suggest the driver of the truck was shot dead by police.
The Paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation for "murder, attempted murder in an organised group linked to a terrorist enterprise." The probe is being handled by France's intelligence agency and judicial police.
US president Barack Obama condemned "what appears to be a horrific terrorist attack" and said he had directed his team to offer any assistance France needs to investigate the attack.
A police source has reportedly said that identity papers belong to a 31-year-old French Tunisian man, a resident of Nice, were found inside the truck.
Footage appeared to show the white truck at the centre of the investigation approach slowly before speeding up and disappearing from view.
Police tried to stop the truck as it was preparing for the attack. Source: TV5Monde
French president François Hollande confirmed 77 people were killed, including several children in what he said was clearly a "terrorist" act.
"France is badly hit by this tragedy. We are horrified," he said.
"But France is strong, and France will always be stronger I assure you.
"It is all of France which is under the threat of Islamic terrorism. So in these circumstances we must show absolute vigilance and a determination without end."
He said the state of emergency, which was to end of July 26, will be extended by three months.
Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi said the truck in Nice was loaded with arms and grenades.
He extended his condolences to the families of the victims, and said: "This is the worst catastrophe our region has seen in modern history."
He added: "We now have to mobilise all of our services, all the psychologists, volunteers who are trained to help fellow human beings.
"We will work with the imams, priests and rabbis who will also join us to help the victims and families who are suffering and will probably never heal their wounds.
"I want to thank people who welcomed passersby and those people who show us tonight that hopefully, solidarity still exists in a world that is too egoistical and individualistic."
Earlier he told residents on Twitter that "a lorry driver appears to have killed dozens of people" and added: "Stay for now in your home."
The local prefecture had urged people in the area to remain indoors, calling the incident "an attack".
The manager of Le Voilier Plage restaurant in Nice said: “Just as the fireworks finished we saw a lorry drive onto the pavement. There was a massive panic there must have been somewhere between 1,000 and 1,500 people on the Promenade des Anglais.
"There was an awful panic, people were running everywhere. We provided a refuge for some people, mothers, children. There were people lying on the ground who were injured or worse.
“There were children in tears."
The lobby of the Negresco hotel became a makeshift hospital ward for the wounded.
Wassim Bouhlel, a Nice native said that he saw a truck drive into the crowd and then witnessed the man emerge with a gun and start shooting.
"There was carnage on the road," Mr Bouhlel said. "Bodies everywhere."
Thousands had gathered in Nice for Bastille Day, which celebrates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris during the French Revolution of 1789. It is France’s biggest public holiday.
The mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo tweeted: “On behalf of all Parisians, all of our fraternal support [goes] to the people of Nice. Our cities are united.”
Unconfirmed reports suggest shots were exchanged between police and the occupants of the lorry.
"It's total panic," one witness said. "We saw a white lorry which drove directly into people on the Promenade des Anglais.
"A gunman fired into the crowd before being shot by police. Perhaps they are dead, I'm not sure."
France is still under a State of Emergency following last year’s attacks on Paris, when almost 150 people were murdered by Islamic State and Al-Qaeda operatives.
RT DrewKkkkkk: #nice people running from gunfire pic.twitter.com/aIETS0z9kX July 14, 2016 at 05:10PM
— NTA•NEWS™ ن (@nothiefs) July 14, 2016
Police were seen flooding the streets, including anti-terrorism officers.
One eyewitness from the Nice judiciary said: Nobody knows what to do, except to hide away. Gunmen are meant to be targeting hotels."
Another eyewitness told France's BFM TV: "Everyone was calling run, run, run there's an attack run, run, run. We heard some shots. We thought they were fireworks because it's the 14th of July.
"There was great panic. We were running too because we didn't want to stick around and we went into a hotel to get to safety. "
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
Another video from tonight.. #Nice #France #Shooting #Truck pic.twitter.com/sPxGrQoQKR
— Hali (@haileyhellblond) July 14, 2016
Prime Minister Theresa May is being kept up to date on the "terrible incident" in Nice, a Downing Street spokesman said.
"Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible incident on what was a day of national celebration," the spokesman said.
Mr Obama said: "We stand in solidarity and partnership with France.
"On this Bastille Day, we are reminded of the extraordinary resilience and democratic values that have made France an inspiration to the entire world, and we know that the character of the French Republic will endure long after this devastating and tragic loss of life."
The city's jazz festival due to open on Saturday and a concert by the pop star Rihanna due on Friday evening have been cancelled.
Lawyer Harjit Sarang from London who was was among those caught up in the attack with her children tweeted: "Running through crowds in Nice with kids and terrified. Never taking kids to a public event again. Finally back to hotel. Hate this!
"F***ing scariest thing ever running through crowds with boys. Got back to hotel and couldn't get in for people seeking refuge!
"Can't stop shaking. Hate that my boys had to experience this. Why did I take them. Why did they do this and why the f*** is this happening!"
The French Muslim Council condemned the attack "with the greatest vigour" and expressed "total solidarity" with the people of Nice.
It called for French Muslims to pray on Friday "to the memory of the victims of this barbarian attack".
A statement added that the "odious terrorist act took aim at our country on the very day of its national holiday (Bastille Day), a day which celebrates liberty, equality and fraternity".
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