“The ANZACS of today [were] leading the Bastille Day Parade in Paris – a recognition of the sacrifice and heroism of a century ago and also of our resolute solidarity with the people of France in the struggle against Islamist terrorism today”, he said in a statement.
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AFP correspondent Robert Holloway, who was among the crowd celebrating France’s national day on Nice’s Promenade des Anglais, had to shield his face from flying debris as the truck plunged two kilometres (1.3 miles) along the beachfront, mowing people down.
Five to ten minutes after the fireworks ended, police cars rushed past him and an influx of people began running in his direction on the Promenade.
He said “the terrorist character” of the truck attack can not be denied.
Eric Drattell, an American citizen on vacation in France who witnessed the attack, told NPR he heard gunshots shortly after 10:30 p.m. and saw people diving off the raised promenade onto the beach about 12 feet below.
The attack is the third major strike against France in less than 18 months and prosecutors said anti-terrorist investigators would handle the probe.
In a press conference on Friday morning, Hollande said “the state of emergency was extended in the country for three months beyond July 26”.
France has been under a state of emergency ever since the November 13 Paris carnage, which came after 17 were killed in another attack in January at various sites including the offices of the Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket.
The driver also opened fire before police shot him dead.
Officials said hundreds were hurt as the driver wove along the seafront, knocking them down “like skittles”.
The United Nations condemned what it termed a “barbaric and cowardly” terror attack in Nice. The truck ploughed at high speed into spectators watching the fireworks.
“I didn’t know if I should hide or continue running. The bodies stay there covered up”, Molina said. “They brought water for the injured and towels, which they placed on those for whom there was no more hope”.
It was not immediately clear who would have been behind an attack, but France has recently seen a spate of dramatic assaults by jihadist groups, including the Islamic State that straddles Iraq and Syria.
“What Val and I keep thinking about is all the families and children we saw tonight- and there were so many”, he said, referring to his wife.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: “Canadians are shocked by tonight’s attack in Nice”.
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“I suddenly heard the crash and people shouting”, Akar told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer.
