France – A truck plow at high speed into Bastille Day celebrations in Nice, where crowds were enjoying fireworks in the Promenade des Anglais seafront. The tragedy occurred at around 05:00 pm local time. The truck killed 80 people according to Le Figaro, and more than 100 were injured.
The truck drove at high speed for over 100 meters, according to Reuters, near the Negresco hotel at the Promenade des Anglais and hit a great number of spectators. The AFP French news agency reports that a security perimeter was set. Numerous ambulances arrived at the scene, and military forces were deployed and gathered around Masséna Square, around 11:30 p.m.
Regional sub-prefect Sebastien Humbert told BFM-TV that the attacker that provoked the panic was dead. Via Twitter, the Alpes-Maritime prefecture claims the high-speeding truck was an attack and urged citizens to stay home. Police forces are carrying tactic operations.
The Interior Ministry announced on Twitter that the driver was neutralized and that the investigation is going to determine if he was the only one involved in the attack. Law enforcement found weapons and grenades inside the truck.
President Hollande is already at the Interior Ministry attending the crisis, according to a tweet from the official Elysee account.
And President Obama released his official statement on the attack, saying that the American people condemn the terrorist attack. He offers any assistance to the French people to investigate the attack to bring the responsible to justice.
Social Media: a useful tool to communicate with victims after the attack
Via Snapchat @Nice-Matin announced that Nice taxis are taking people for free to leave the Promenade des Anglais.
And Facebook has enabled a safety check so people can tell loved ones they are safe. The Var prefecture encouraged Nice citizens to use the feature.
Through Twitter Secretary of State. Juliette Méadel urges internauts not to post non-verified information. She also requested that for respect to the victims and their families, not to published photos or videos of the crime scene.
Le Figaro reports that the Negresco Hotel is now being used as a hospital to take care of victims.
This is the first terrorist attack in France after Francois Hollande declared an emergency state following the Paris shootings that took place last November. ISIS claimed to plan and execute the death of 130 people in the French capital city.
The emergency state was going to end on July 26. Regarding the status, Francois Hollande said that the emergency state could be prolonged indefinitely. This would mean that France is no longer a republic with the rule of law applied in all circumstances. Reuters says the French President stated to journalists at Bastille Day.
Source: Le Figaro