An American eyewitness to the attack in Nice, France spoke to CNN’s Anderson Cooper Thursday evening and described a scene of horror at the site where a large truck rammed into a group of pedestrians gathered to celebrate Bastille Day.
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French President Francois Hollande says “the terrorist character” of the Bastille Day truck attack in Nice can not be denied. The state of emergency was set to expire July 26.
The attack was of an “undeniable terrorist nature”, a sombre Hollande said in a televised national address, confirming that “several children” were among the dead as families came together to celebrate France’s national day. All means are being deployed to help the wounded.
The Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation for “murder, attempted murder in an organized group linked to a terrorist enterprise”.
The driver was under fire from police when he accelerated through the crowd at high speed, leaving no doubt the attack was intentional. “More info to follow”, said Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi. The truck did not explode, which would have magnified the carnage.
The driver’s rampage was stopped in a hail of gunfire from police that left the truck itself riddled with bullets.
The attack happened at around 10:30 p.m. local time.
He denied reports that a hostage-taking incident had taken place.
“An individual drove a truck into the crowd”.
The attack took place after fireworks display on Bastille Day, a French national holiday, officials have said.
Writing online, Nice Matin journalist 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. “Bodies everywhere.” He said the driver emerged with a gun and started shooting.
French leader Francois Hollande expressed his “support and solidarity” with the residents of Nice, and was due to chair a meeting of the country’s defence and security chiefs later Friday.
Now it will last an additional three months.
President Barack Obama condemned what he said “appears to be a horrific terrorist attack”.
He listed several measures to bolster security in France after two waves of attacks a year ago that killed 147 people.
Obama says, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and other loved-ones of those killed”.
Obama is offering French officials “any assistance that they may need to investigate this attack and bring those responsible to justice”.
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.
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“The number of those killed had reached 62 french crusaders and sinful infidels in Nice, France”.
