Earlier this evening, a truck plowed into several hundred people celebrating Bastille Day at a firework display in the French city of Nice.
At least 75 people have been killed and another 50 injured in the attack on the Promenade des Anglais, but those numbers may still rise.
BREAKING: Panic in #Nice, France after #truck drives into crowd at promenade https://t.co/g4CNC7nYUu pic.twitter.com/uu0Jthjlfh
— RT (@RT_com) July 14, 2016
Nice Matin journalist Damien Allemand said:
An enormous white truck came along at a crazy speed, turning the wheel to mow down the maximum number of people.
I saw bodies flying like bowling pins along its route. Heard noises, cries that I will never forget.
Since the news broke, numerous rumours of other attacks at restaurants, hotels and the Eiffel Tower have spread around social media, but none appear to have any substance.
Here’s everything we know so far:
- Police are describing the incident as ‘a major criminal attack’, although terror police have taken over the investigation.
- U.S. President Barack Obama has been informed of the situation and his national security team will update him.
- The driver of the vehicle was neutralised. Investigators are now trying to work out whether he acted alone. Preliminary information suggests there was only one individual in the truck.
- Christian Estrosi, president of the region, has confirmed the lorry was loaded with arms and grenades.
- The UK’s Prime Minister Theresa May is being kept up to date on the attack. A Downing Street spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible incident on what was a day of national celebration.”
- The smoke that engulfed the Eiffel Tower was not related to the attack. Police say it was an accidental firework fire.
Eiffel Tower covered in black smoke aswell but not a terrorist attack pic.twitter.com/bWsE534AeF
— Bateson87 (@bateson87) July 14, 2016
- Daily Mail’s Reports of hostage situations in the Meridien Hotel, the Hotel Negresco and the Buffalo Grill restaurant have been denied by the French Interior Minister.
- France’s president Francois Hollande is heading to the Interior Ministry’s crisis centre.
Our thoughts go out to family and friends of the victims.
More to follow.
