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Nice truck attack: Hollande denounces 'monstrous' killing of 84 on Bastille Day – live Nice truck attack: François Hollande denounces 'monstrous' killing of 84 on Bastille Day – live
(35 minutes later)
7.57am BST
07:57
Labour leadership candidate, Owen Smith, has cancelled a plan campaign launch today.
In light of the heartbreaking news from Nice, I am cancelling today's campaign launch. Solidarité et fraternité avec le peuple Français.
7.54am BST
07:54
The French front pages this morning
"L'horreur, à nouveau" La une de la dernière édition de @Le_Figaro #Nice #attentat pic.twitter.com/GjB9Dqz5ET
La une de Nice-Matin du vendredi 15 juillet : carnage à Nice, neuf pages spéciales #Nice06 pic.twitter.com/5ifSQPClyI
#Nice06 : @laprovence consacre dans son éd. de #Marseille une double page événement au drame https://t.co/SJuyiaSl7O pic.twitter.com/TROQFo7Ot9
La Une du @lesoir ce vendredi 15 juillet: "L'horreur à #Nice" https://t.co/cwwapndmZo pic.twitter.com/9wfZoSg4fZ
#Nice Portada de @le_Parisien pic.twitter.com/Sr7UHooaYK
7.50am BST
07:50
Shaun Walker
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has made a statement about Nice on Facebook, expressing condolences but also complaining that the west should focus on real threats from terrorism and not on “hybrid” threats. (Russia’s war in Ukraine has been described as a “hybrid war”)
Let’s not fight with ‘hybrid threats’ but with real ones. Let’s do it together, because we are all the same when we die at the hands of terrorists and extremists. It’s time to smooth over our differences before this kind of tragedy, and not only afterwards.
The Russian prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, who is currently in Mongolia, wrote on Facebook that the international community should use force to combat terrorism:
“Terrorism knows no borders and is a common challenge for both Europe and Asia. Together we must look for a response to challenges like this, demonstrate solidarity, and make every effort to fight terrorism. Force is all terrorists and their sponsors understand, and that is what we must use.”
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7.47am BST
07:47
Italy has tightened border controls at three road crossings into France and at the Ventimiglia train link between the two countries. Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano tweeted “Our security apparatus is at work.” He also said he was due to get a counter terrorism briefing later this morning.
Rafforzati controlli ai tre valichi terrestri e a quello ferroviario #Ventimiglia. I nostri apparati di sicurezza sono al lavoro. #Nizza
Ho convocato per domattina alle 9 al Viminale il Comitato Analisi Strategica Antiterrorismo #Nizza
7.36am BST
07:36
There has been swift and widespread international condemnation.
The United Nations Security Council said it “condemned in the strongest terms the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attack”.
China’s President Xi Jinping called it an “appalling” attack in Nice amid reports that at two Chinese citizens were among the injured.
According to the People’s Daily, the Communist party’s mouthpiece, Xi Jinping has told François Hollande that China is “against all forms of terrorism [and is] willing to deepen co-operation with France to counter terrorism”.
Here’s a sample of more reaction from other world leaders:
My deepest condolences to France, those who suffered in this heinous act of terror in Nice and families of victims https://t.co/OiafU5zfKh
#AttentatNice is an attack on us all. An attack on democracy & human rights. Denmark is with France and the victims' families in the sorrow
#ASEM11 plénière: "Vive la #France et sa République qui aujourd'hui est aussi la nôtre." #Nice06 pic.twitter.com/JSH0XMKm31
Prime Minister Trudeau extends his deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed in Nice, France: https://t.co/rCNZncJFvA
Toutes mes pensées pour les victimes de l'attentat ignoble et lâche de #Nice. Solidarité avec la #France.
My deepest condolences to the victims of the attack in Nice and their families. We stand together with France to end these acts of terror.
7.27am BST
07:27
Matthew Weaver
Witnesses have continued to described horrific scenes.
Wassim Bouhel told the French TV channel iTele that the lorry zigzagged across the road.
“We almost died. It was like hallucinating ... (the lorry) zigzagged - you had no idea where it was going. My wife ... a metre away ... she was dead. The lorry ripped through everything ... poles, trees. We have never seen anything like it. Some people were hanging on the door and tried to stop it.”
Lucy Nesbitt-Comaskey told Sky News that the noise of gunfire “sounded like Beirut”. She said:
“It was shocking, it was devastating and I cannot believe that I have come over here for a few days and I have got mixed up in something so tragic. It was just awful.”I said to my friend ‘This doesn’t sound like fireworks, it sounds like Beirut when it’s under fire’. All of a sudden people were screaming in the streets and running into all the restaurants. All the restaurants were open and people were coming. We were just sitting there and everyone came into our restaurant and the owners were saying ‘Please don’t go anywhere, come in, come in’.
Briton Will Shaw told BBC Radio 4:
“It was quite chaotic really. There was a lot of people screaming, running around and people were kind of being pushed over, I think, from people just being so frightened about what was going on especially after hearing the gunshots. I had to help a couple of people up who were in distress on the floor because everyone was in such a panic.”
6.58am BST6.58am BST
06:5806:58
Social media users have reacted with horror to the attack, using the hashtags #Nice06, #prayforNice and #porteouverte (door open) to express their sorrow and solidarity.Social media users have reacted with horror to the attack, using the hashtags #Nice06, #prayforNice and #porteouverte (door open) to express their sorrow and solidarity.
There are no words for this madness. #Nice pic.twitter.com/MNkjqYW0bxThere are no words for this madness. #Nice pic.twitter.com/MNkjqYW0bx
Watching the news, horrific events in #Nice #France sad day pic.twitter.com/xzThRpTVQKWatching the news, horrific events in #Nice #France sad day pic.twitter.com/xzThRpTVQK
So sad... #Nice06 🇫🇷😔🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/QmHHV84xVbSo sad... #Nice06 🇫🇷😔🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/QmHHV84xVb
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at 6.59am BSTat 6.59am BST
6.42am BST6.42am BST
06:4206:42
Police source: driver was known to authoritiesPolice source: driver was known to authorities
The gunman who killed at least 80 people when he drove a heavy truck into a crowd in Nice was a 31-year-old Franco-Tunisian born in Tunisia, a police source close to the investigation has told Reuters news agency.The gunman who killed at least 80 people when he drove a heavy truck into a crowd in Nice was a 31-year-old Franco-Tunisian born in Tunisia, a police source close to the investigation has told Reuters news agency.
The man was not on the watchlist of French intelligence services but was known to police in connection with common law crimes such as theft and violence, the source said.The man was not on the watchlist of French intelligence services but was known to police in connection with common law crimes such as theft and violence, the source said.
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6.36am BST6.36am BST
06:3606:36
Death toll rises to 84Death toll rises to 84
#BREAKING: Nice truck attack death toll rises to 84: interior ministry#BREAKING: Nice truck attack death toll rises to 84: interior ministry
6.33am BST6.33am BST
06:3306:33
Australia’s foreign minister, Julie Bishop, has confirmed that three Australians are among the injured. They were fleeing the attack when they were hurt, she said.Australia’s foreign minister, Julie Bishop, has confirmed that three Australians are among the injured. They were fleeing the attack when they were hurt, she said.
Bishop: The overall level of advice for France hasn't changed. We continue to advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution #NiceBishop: The overall level of advice for France hasn't changed. We continue to advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution #Nice
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at 6.36am BSTat 6.36am BST
6.26am BST6.26am BST
06:2606:26
'I've never seen panic like it before''I've never seen panic like it before'
A witness, John Curtis, has emailed from Nice to describe the chaos that unfolded when the attack took place.A witness, John Curtis, has emailed from Nice to describe the chaos that unfolded when the attack took place.
We’re renting an apartment in Nice in rue Andrioli, about 2 or 3 hundred metres west of the [hotel] Negresco. We watched the fireworks sitting on a wall overlooking the beach. We’re renting an apartment in Nice in rue Andrioli, about two or three hundred metres west of the [hotel] Negresco. We watched the fireworks sitting on a wall overlooking the beach.
There were thousands of people including lots of families with young children. When the fireworks were over we walked back along the the Promenade des Anglais. There were no cars and the wide dual-carriageway was completely taken over by pedestrians.There were thousands of people including lots of families with young children. When the fireworks were over we walked back along the the Promenade des Anglais. There were no cars and the wide dual-carriageway was completely taken over by pedestrians.
We crossed over to the landward side and had just reached the point where there was traffic again. On our side of the road, where the traffic was heading out of town, there was nose to tail traffic but the other side of the central reservation was traffic-free.We crossed over to the landward side and had just reached the point where there was traffic again. On our side of the road, where the traffic was heading out of town, there was nose to tail traffic but the other side of the central reservation was traffic-free.
Suddenly on the other side of the road we could see a white truck driving very fast and swerving from side to side. I knew immediately that it was going to kill people and it was heading straight into the crowds. People started running towards the side streets.Suddenly on the other side of the road we could see a white truck driving very fast and swerving from side to side. I knew immediately that it was going to kill people and it was heading straight into the crowds. People started running towards the side streets.
I’ve never seen panic like it before. We were swept along by the crowd and we managed to get back to our apartment.I’ve never seen panic like it before. We were swept along by the crowd and we managed to get back to our apartment.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.36am BST at 7.25am BST
6.24am BST6.24am BST
06:2406:24
Children undergoing surgeryChildren undergoing surgery
Laurence Marie from the Lenval paediatric hospital has told Reuters news agency that “many” children were undergoing serious operations there.Laurence Marie from the Lenval paediatric hospital has told Reuters news agency that “many” children were undergoing serious operations there.
UpdatedUpdated
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6.17am BST6.17am BST
06:1706:17
As dawn breaks on the Promenade des Anglais, many relatives of the missing are still searching for their loved ones.As dawn breaks on the Promenade des Anglais, many relatives of the missing are still searching for their loved ones.
Dawn revealed pools of dried blood, smashed children’s strollers, an uneaten baguette and other debris strewn about the promenade, according to Reuters.Dawn revealed pools of dried blood, smashed children’s strollers, an uneaten baguette and other debris strewn about the promenade, according to Reuters.
What appeared to be bodies covered in blankets were visible between the gaps in security screens.What appeared to be bodies covered in blankets were visible between the gaps in security screens.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.32am BSTat 6.32am BST
6.00am BST6.00am BST
06:0006:00
What we know so farWhat we know so far
UpdatedUpdated
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5.44am BST
05:44
'Inactive grenade and fake rifles' found in truck
The truck driver who rammed his vehicle into a massive crowd in Nice fired a pistol several times before being shot dead by police, a local official has told Agence France-Presse.
“At the moment that he was shot dead by police, he had fired several times,” said president of the region Christian Estrosi.
A source close to the investigation said an “inactive” grenade was found inside the 19-tonne truck, as well as “several fake rifles”.
5.39am BST
05:39
Driver known to police – reports
The French TV station BFM is reporting that the driver of the truck was known to police, but not for terrorism offences.
The Guardian is not able to confirm the report at this stage.
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5.33am BST
05:33
Parents were throwing their children to safety
Witnesses have told of how parents threw their children over fences to safety as a “stampede” of people rushed down the Promenade des Anglais.
Ismali Khalidi, a US-Palestinian writer who was in the southern French city to visit his sister, told the Guardian: “I have never seen that level of chaos and hysteria and terror.”
Read more here:
Related: Bastille Day partygoers throw children to safety as truck attack sparks stampede
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5.19am BST
05:19
The French illustrator @Louison_A has shared this image on Twitter.
Non. 💔 #Nice pic.twitter.com/ukaMCHJAmZ
Updated
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5.15am BST
05:15
Britain’s new foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, has joined the politicians condemning the attack.
Shocked and saddened by the appalling events in Nice, and the terrible loss of life.
Updated
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5.12am BST
05:12
A 'global failure' of French intelligence
After November’s Paris attacks, the French government put in place a state of emergency, which restricts civil liberties. It allows police to conduct searches without a warrant and place people under house arrest outside the normal legal process.
A French parliamentary investigation into last year’s terrorist attacks on Paris has identified multiple failings by France’s intelligence agencies.
The parliamentary commission was set up to assess the failure to prevent a series of attacks that killed a total of 147 people in 2015 – from January’s gun attacks on the Charlie Hebdo offices and a kosher grocery store to the coordinated gun and bomb attacks on 13 November outside the national sports stadium, at bars and restaurants and at a rock gig at the Bataclan concert hall.
The commission highlighted a “global failure” of French intelligence and recommended a total overhaul of the intelligence services and the creation of a single, US-style national counter-terrorism agency.
Read the full report here:
Related: From Charlie Hebdo to Bastille Day: France reels after new deadly attack
Updated
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5.06am BST
05:06
Facebook activated its safety check after the attack in Nice.
It’s the third time in five weeks that the social network has deployed the tool, which lets Facebook users who are at or near the site of a natural disaster or terrorist attack inform their friends on the network that they are safe.
It was also used in the wake of the attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando and after the suicide bombings at Istanbul’s Atatürk airport.
Updated
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4.49am BST
04:49
Nice hospitals have launched an appeal for blood donations in the wake of the attacks.
#nice06 > Les hôpitaux lancent un appel aux dons de sang. L'EFS de Nice > 45 rue Auguste Gal à Nice ouvre à 9h30 https://t.co/Lixb3xuKea
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4.40am BST
04:40
The French prime minister, Manuel Valls, has tweeted: “The city of Nice has been hit by terrorism on the day of our national holiday. Immense pain, the country is in mourning. The French will face it.”
La ville de Nice frappée par le terrorisme le jour de notre Fête nationale. Immense douleur, le pays est en deuil. Les Français feront face.
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4.38am BST
04:38
The British ambassador to France, Julian King, said the embassy’s crisis centre had been activated.
Thoughts with the victims and their families. Our Embassy crisis center has been activated. https://t.co/jtIxD8Nbqg
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We are deeply concerned about reports of an incident in Nice and are in touch with the local authorities to seek more information. “Our thoughts are with those affected and we stand by to help any British nationals.”
Updated
at 5.06am BST