“We will further strengthen our actions in Syria and Iraq”, Hollande said, calling the tragedy – on the day France marks the 1789 revolutionary storming of the Bastille prison in Paris – an attack on liberty by fanatics who despised human rights.
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Counter-terrorist investigators were leading the probe, into the attack, local media said, and a local government official said weapons and grenades were found inside the truck.
The attack falls in line with a call made by Islamic State group spokesman Abu Mohammed al Adnani, who urged followers in 2014 to kill unbelievers with cars if they can not find more specialized weaponry.
The attacker, 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, was slowed when a heroic member of the public leapt onto the vehicle and wrestled the driver.
VOA producer Linda Ringe was staying in a hotel overlooking the Promenade des Anglais where the attack took place.
Obama made remarks from the White House moments ago following an attack in Nice, southern France, where a terrorist killed at least 84 people by ramming a box truck into crowds of people.
Bouhlel – who yelled “Allahu Akbar!” during his rampage – managed to continue driving for another 1,000 feet before being surrounded by officers and shot dead in a hail of bullets. “Our hearts go out to the people in Nice, France”.
– Just before midnight (2200 GMT), Nice’s regional head Christian Estrosi says on Twitter: “The driver of a van appears to have killed dozens”.
France has announced three days of mourning following the attack, and investigations are ongoing.
The attack marked the third deadliest terrorist strike in recent times, following last Novembers attacks on a stadium, concert hall and restaurant, and January’s attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo.
In a national address in the early hours of the morning, Hollande said the act was, without doubt, a terror attack. He says “several children” are among the dead, “added Sky News”. More than 50 people are in critical condition, French authorities said Friday.
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian also sent a letter of condolences to President Hollande following the attack.
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Republican candidate Trump said the USA needs to get “tough” on terrorists, and if he were president he would ask for a formal declaration of war from Congress against the Islamic State group, while Democrat Clinton urged caution and called for more intelligence gathering against terrorists. This is also a signal for us to unite more resolutely in our fight against the global terrorism. The Polish foreign ministry has not confirmed the report.
