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Nice truck attack: France mourns again after 84 killed in Bastille day atrocity – live Nice attack: France mourns again after 84 killed in Bastille day atrocity – live
(35 minutes later)
10.16am BST
10:16
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced he will be “reviewing our own safety measures” following the attack in Nice, PA reports.
He declared that the capital would “stand united” with France and insisted the “poisonous and twisted” terrorists would be defeated.
Speaking on a visit to Gatwick Airport, Khan said: “I will reassure all Londoners that today we will be reviewing our own safety measures in light of this attack and that I and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner will do everything possible to keep Londoners safe.”
10.15am BST
10:15
Nice-Matin is reporting that police are carrying out a raid on the home of the driver in the Abattoirs area of Nice.
Une perquisition en cours au domicile du chauffeur dans le quartier des Abattoirs https://t.co/m0GJEUosT9 #AttentatNice
10.10am BST
10:10
Two Americans have been named as among the 84 victims, according to unconfirmed reports. They were were Sean Copeland and his son Brodie, from Texas, a relative told BuzzFeed.
Americans Sean Copeland and his son Brodie died in the #NiceFrance terrorist attack, a relative tells BuzzFeed News pic.twitter.com/qddMTFZmg6
9.56am BST
09:56
Here’s a video of what we know so far.
9.56am BST
09:56
Nice-Matin reports that 54 children were admitted to the Lenval hospital on Thursday night.
Selon nos informations, 54 enfants ont été admis à l'hôpital Lenval depuis jeudi soir https://t.co/yLZvIMAIvF
Updated
at 10.00am BST
9.46am BST
09:46
Three days of national mourning
The French prime minister, Manuel Valls, says there will be three days of national mourning starting on Saturday. Speaking in Paris before heading to Nice, Valls said: “Terrorism is a threat that is weighing heavily on France.”
According to a BBC translation, he said: “We are facing a war that terrorism has started against us. The objective of the terrorists is to instil fear and panic. France will not allow itself to be destabilised.”
He added: “Times have changed and we should learn to live with terrorism. We have to show solidarity and collective calm. France has been hit in its soul on 14 July, our national day. They wanted to attack the unity of the French nation. The only dignified response is that France will remain loyal to the spirit of 14 July and its values.”
The Paris prosecutor’s office is now in charge of the investigation, Valls added.
"Le président @fhollande a déclaré un deuil national pour les 16, 17 et 18 juillet. Les drapeaux seront mis en berne" @manuelvalls #Nice
Updated
at 10.02am BST
9.33am BST9.33am BST
09:3309:33
A Downing Street spokesman said:A Downing Street spokesman said:
“The Prime Minister is being kept updated on reports coming in from Nice. “The prime minister is being kept updated on reports coming in from Nice.
“We are shocked and concerned by the scenes there. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible incident on what was a day of national celebration.“We are shocked and concerned by the scenes there. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible incident on what was a day of national celebration.
“The FCO are in touch with the local authorities to seek more information and we stand ready to help any British nationals and to support our French partners.” “The [Foreign Office] are in touch with the local authorities to seek more information and we stand ready to help any British nationals and to support our French partners.”
Updated
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9.31am BST9.31am BST
09:3109:31
One British citizen injuredOne British citizen injured
Britain’s new foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, has confirmed that one British citizen was injured in the attack.Britain’s new foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, has confirmed that one British citizen was injured in the attack.
Speaking to reporters outside his home, Johnson said the attack was “an absolutely appalling incident.” Speaking to reporters outside his home, Johnson said the attack was “an absolutely appalling incident”.
He added:
“I think there will be ministerial meetings later on today to discuss the implications for this country if any. I don’t at this time know any read across or implications for the UK.“I think there will be ministerial meetings later on today to discuss the implications for this country if any. I don’t at this time know any read across or implications for the UK.
“If this is a terrorist incident, as it appears to be, this represents a continuing threat, to us in the whole of Europe and we must meet it together.“If this is a terrorist incident, as it appears to be, this represents a continuing threat, to us in the whole of Europe and we must meet it together.
“The only information that I have is that there is one UK national who is injured.”“The only information that I have is that there is one UK national who is injured.”
Updated
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9.24am BST9.24am BST
09:2409:24
The Vatican has joined international condemnation of the attack.The Vatican has joined international condemnation of the attack.
Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said: Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said:
Throughout the night we have followed with great concern the terrible news from Nice. On behalf of Pope Francis, we join in solidarity with the suffering of the victims and of the entire French people this day that should have been a great holiday. We condemn in the strongest way every demonstration of senseless violence, of hatred, terrorism and any attack against peace.Throughout the night we have followed with great concern the terrible news from Nice. On behalf of Pope Francis, we join in solidarity with the suffering of the victims and of the entire French people this day that should have been a great holiday. We condemn in the strongest way every demonstration of senseless violence, of hatred, terrorism and any attack against peace.
Updated
at 10.04am BST
9.20am BST9.20am BST
09:2009:20
The latest stage of the Tour de France is going ahead today after minute’s silence was held for the victims of the Nice attack. The latest stage of the Tour de France is going ahead today after a minute’s silence was held for the victims of the Nice attack.
Minute de silence au départ / Minute of silence at the start this morning #PrayForNice pic.twitter.com/FMihoxKNUZMinute de silence au départ / Minute of silence at the start this morning #PrayForNice pic.twitter.com/FMihoxKNUZ
Race director Christian Prudhomme told reporters that there would also be minute’s silence at the end of today’s stage. The race director, Christian Prudhomme, told reporters that there would also be a minute’s silence at the end of today’s stage.
Prudhomme; 'the stage goes ahead, the Tour will continue in dignity, we will not give in to people who want to change our way of life'Prudhomme; 'the stage goes ahead, the Tour will continue in dignity, we will not give in to people who want to change our way of life'
Prudhomme visibly moved: minute's silence also at the finish with all the classification leadersPrudhomme visibly moved: minute's silence also at the finish with all the classification leaders
Updated
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9.15am BST9.15am BST
09:1509:15
The seafront, usually packed with tourists setting up for a day at the beach in Nice, was tragically silent this Friday morning, writes Sofia Fischer. The seafront, usually packed with tourists setting up for a day at the beach in Nice, was tragically silent this morning, writes Sofia Fischer.
Windows were shut tight and all cafés and convenience stores remained closed for the day, as residents have barricaded themselves inside their homes. The few who have ventured outside to walk their dogs did so silently, sometimes hugging their neighbours as they crossed paths. Windows were shut tight and all cafes and convenience stores remained closed for the day, as residents remained inside their homes. The few who ventured outside to walk their dogs did so silently, sometimes hugging their neighbours as they met.
At every street corner, huddles of tourists sat on their luggage as the sun rose, waiting for taxis to take them back to the airport. Amongst them, Julie Holland, an American citizen on holiday in Europe with her two daughters. She has booked a flight to head straight back to Orlando. She was having dinner with her children when the truck drove at full speed through the masses of people on the esplanade. At every street corner, huddles of tourists sat on their luggage as the sun rose, waiting for taxis to take them to the airport. Among them was Julie Holland, a US citizen on holiday with her two daughters, who had booked flights back to Orlando. She said they were having dinner last night when the truck drove at full speed through the crowds on the esplanade.
“We heard screams, and people started running into the restaurant,” she said. “We hid in the kitchen, behind a stove.” “We heard screams, and people started running into the restaurant,” she said. “We hid in the kitchen, behind a stove.
“As soon as the gunfire stopped we went through the back door to a hotel down the street. A policeman eventually escorted us back to our hotel at around 3 in the morning. There were bodies every where. My daughters saw bodies. Lots of them.” “As soon as the gunfire stopped we went through the back door to a hotel down the street. A policeman eventually escorted us back to our hotel at around 3am. There were bodies everywhere. My daughters saw bodies. Lots of them.”
Further down the road, Marc, the caretaker of a building near the seafront, was sitting on his porch, fighting back tears. He was walking home after the fireworks when panic broke out on the esplanade. “There were people screaming, families, bodies everywhere.” He nodded to a man pacing up and down the street, crying over the phone. “He was with his kids last night. They barely made it. He hasn’t hung up the phone since yesterday. He’s still trying to figure out what the hell happened.” Further down the road, Marc, the caretaker of a building near the seafront, was sitting on his porch, fighting back tears. He said was walking home after the fireworks when panic broke out on the esplanade. “There were people screaming, families, bodies everywhere.”
Nice’s famous Promenade des Anglais has been on lockdown since the events. Police have been set up at every entry and white blankets have been set up as forensic teams hurry to examine the bodies. On the street, behind the barricades, debris of glass, thrown over candyfloss stands and survival blankets testify to the chaos of the previous night. A man in a white blanket, haggard and dazed, limped down the street as neighbours tried to hold him up. “He’s lost his whole family,” hushed an elderly woman crying through her sunglasses. He nodded to a man pacing up and down the street, crying on the phone. “He was with his kids last night. They barely made it. He hasn’t hung up the phone since yesterday. He’s still trying to figure out what the hell happened.”
An Italian living in Nice, Marco Barsotti, who was watching the fireworks with his girlfriend on Thursday evening, was pacing on the street hanging onto his phone. The Promenade des Anglais has been cordoned off since the events. Police had been posted at every entry and forensic teams were examining the bodies. Behind the barricades, the debris of glass, fallen candyfloss stands and survival blankets lay as testimony to the chaos of the previous night.
He said: “When the fireworks stopped, we climbed back up onto the street. All of a sudden, people started running everywhere, we saw the truck whizz past us, so we jumped back onto the beach to protect ourselves. People kept falling on our heads because they were running towards the sea and didn’t see the gap.” A man in a white blanket, haggard and dazed, limped down the street as neighbours tried to hold him up. “He’s lost his whole family,” said an elderly woman, crying behind her sunglasses.
It was only when the couple tried to cross the street back to their seafront apartment that they saw the carnage. “There was a dozen bodies around us.” Barsotti, out of reflex, took out his phone and started filming. The timestamp reads 10:46 pm. An Italian man living in Nice, Marco Barsotti, who was watching the fireworks with his girlfriend on the beach the previous night, was pacing on the street hanging on to his phone.
In front of the Mediterranean University Centre, where emergency psychological help is being offered to witnesses and victims with non life-threatening injuries, men and women sat smoking cigarettes in silence. He said: “When the fireworks stopped, we climbed back up on to the street. All of a sudden, people started running everywhere, we saw the truck whizz past us, so we jumped back on to the beach to protect ourselves. People kept falling on our heads because they were running towards the sea and didn’t see the gap.”
A man stood hitting his head against a barricade before a firefighter escorted him gently inside the building. Everywhere there were looks of consternation, shock, and horror. It was only when the couple tried to cross the street back to their seafront apartment that they saw the carnage. “There was a dozen bodies around us.” Barsotti took out his phone and started filming; the timestamp reads 10.46pm.
Paul, a seafront resident watched families try to cross the street covered in bodies. “I saw a mother covering her child’s eyes, telling him to keep them tightly shut. The dad had a toddler in his arms and had buried his face in his t-shirt for him not to see anything.” In front of the Mediterranean University Centre, where emergency psychological help was being offered to witnesses and victims with non life-threatening injuries, men and women sat smoking in silence.
Their upstairs neighbour, an elderly woman, Mary-Jeanne Theuma also witnessed the horrifying scene. “I left Algeria to flee this. It’s come back to haunt me,” she said. A man was hitting his head against a barricade before a firefighter escorted him inside the building. Everywhere there were looks of shock, horror and consternation.
Paul, a seafront resident, said he watched families last night try to cross the street where bodies lay. “I saw a mother covering her child’s eyes, telling him to keep them tightly shut. The dad had a toddler in his arms and had buried his face in his T-shirt for him not to see anything.”
Their upstairs neighbour Mary-Jeanne Theuma also witnessed the attack. “I left Algeria to flee this. It’s come back to haunt me,” she said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.22am BST at 10.16am BST
9.06am BST9.06am BST
09:0609:06
What we know so farWhat we know so far
8.46am BST
08:46
Rachel Obordo
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8.43am BST
08:43
The incident is being widely described as a “terrorist” attack, but the motive of the driver, who was shot dead by police after killing at least 84 people, is not known.
The driver, a 31-year-old Franco-Tunisian born in Tunisia, was known to the police but not the intelligence services, a police told Reuters.
Extremist expert Charlie Winter, senior research associate at Georgia State University, points out that Islamic State has not issued any statement on Nice so far.
For the avoidance of any doubt: #IS has not issued any official communications regarding #Nice.
Islamic State supporters have been “celebrating” the attack on social media, according to the Site monitoring group.
IS Supporters Celebrate Attack in Nice: “They Brought This to Themselves” https://t.co/FKntUlacXh
8.25am BST
08:25
Sam Jones
Spain’s acting prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has just addressed the country in the wake of the Nice attack. He said:
“I want to express the Spanish government’s condolences following last night’s brutal terrorist attack in Nice. Today, we feel the immense pain that afflicts our neighbours as if it were our own. It’s a pain that all good people feel as potential victims of barbarity, senselessness and the most absolute disregard for human life. I’d like to reiterate once again our loyal and sincere commitment to our French neighbours, partners, allies and friends.
“Spain will give its full co-operation to France to help find, pursue and punish terrorists and those who support and protect them. We know that no one is completely safe from atrocities like last night’s, which, until recently, would have been unimaginable. We are facing a global threat that demands a global and integrated response. And Spain, which has suffered deeply from terrorism, is present and active in that global response.”
Rajoy also said there was no evidence that any of the victims was Spanish.
Updated
at 8.45am BST
8.19am BST
08:19
This from my colleague Oliver Duggan:
There have been 12 terror attacks in the EU since July 2012. Seven of them in France, killing 244 - five times more than rest combined #Nice
He also notes that it is the funeral of Labour MP Jo Cox today. Her husband Brendan tweeted that he is “thinking of all victims of hatred” today.
Jo wld ask us not 2 fight hate with hate but draw together 2 drain the swamp that extremism breeds in.Thinking of all victims of hatred 2day
8.15am BST
08:15
The whole esplanade is on lock down and the streets are empty after people were advised to stay home, Sophie Fischer writes from Nice.
Police are patrolling every entry to promenade and are refusing passage to everyone, even journalists. Employees of the hotels on the promenade are having trouble getting to work and are being searched. All we see on the streets are tourists with their luggage and children hurrying back to the airport, and a couple of witnesses wrapped up in blankets shaking their heads, crying.
A caretaker of a building on the promenade was crying in front of the entry after witnessing the attack. “There were bodies everywhere. Children, mothers. A guy from the building almost lost his kids. I still don’t understand,” he said.
A couple who were watching the fireworks from their balcony on the promenade said “There were families crossing the street with kids with bodies everywhere. I saw a mum covering her child’s eyes telling him to keep them tightly shut.”
At the Mediterenian university centre, where emergency psychological support is been given to people present at the scene, people are bundled up in blankets outside, sometimes covered in blood or bandages. Rescue teams are evacuating them to a location further away from the scene.
Victims, some covered in blood, hugged each other outside the centre before being treated.
8.03am BST
08:03
Spectator assistant editor Isabel Hardman was walking back from watching fireworks on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice when the attack occurred.
“Nobody knew what they were running from,” she says.
7.57am BST
07:57
Labour leadership candidate, Owen Smith, has cancelled a planned 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.
Updated
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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.”
Updated
at 7.59am BST
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. The 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
Updated
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