The French flag is prominently displayed along the Promenade des Anglais, the scene of a terrorist attack that killed at least 84. (Photo : Getty Images / Patrick Aventurier)
At least 84 people are dead and over 100 injured when the driver of a heavy truck deliberately ran over hordes of people who were partying during Bastille Day in Nice, France. The driver was said to have been purposely zigzagging in order to kill as many people as possible.
The driver was identified as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, 31, a Tunisian-born French citizen with a criminal record. Investigators admit that he has a criminal background but had no known ties and history with terrorism. He was not on the French intelligence watchlist. Bouhlel was shot dead by police after an exchange of gunfire.
A neighbor of Bouhlel's, in an interview with The Telegraph, described him as "very weird" and that he was not "very polite." Police and forensic experts stormed his apartment in the morning and came out with several bags of materials.
The fireworks due to the celebration of the French national holiday had just concluded when suddenly, loud noises and screaming penetrated the air. Dominique Molina, in a report by CNN, was watching from a balcony when she saw the big truck running people over along the famous Promenade des Anglais. She estimated the truck's speed at around 20 to 25 miles per hour.
The attack was condemned by world leaders. US President Barack Obama called the event a "horrific terrorist attack." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that the Canadians are sympathizing with the French. Chinese premier Li Keqiang conveyed his condolences to the victims and stated that he "strongly condemns terrorism of all forms." The UN called the attack "cowardly and barbaric," while new British Prime Minister Theresa May declared that Britain must exert more effort to defeat these "brutal murderers."
French president Francois Hollande decried the attack during the French holiday, saying that Bastille Day is supposed to be a "symbol of freedom, liberty and human rights." Hollande extended the state of emergency for France for another three months. He initially planned to lift it on July 26, after being implemented for around eight months since the Paris terrorist attacks last November.
Watch a witness recount the incident in an interview below.
