At Least 70 Dead in Nice, France, After Truck Runs Down Crowd Celebrating Bastille Day
According to the city’s deputy mayor, Christian Estrosi, “The truck was full of weapons and grenades.” There are also reports of gunfire.
The streets in Nice became a scene of horror Thursday. (Screen shot via ABC 13)
Bastille Day in Nice, France, turned tragic. According to The New York Times, more than 70 people are dead and dozens more injured after a truck drove into a crowd of people celebrating the French holiday on Thursday.
“The truck was full of weapons and grenades,” Christian Estrosi, deputy mayor of Nice, said on French television, the Times reported.
It remains unclear what motivated the incident, but pro-Islamic State groups reportedly are celebrating:
While #ISIS has yet to claim credit for the #Nice attack, pro-ISIS groups have quickly mobilized to threaten France pic.twitter.com/0uFjsgA1eq
— SITE Intel Group (@siteintelgroup) July 14, 2016
Estrosi expressed condolences on Twitter:
Il s’agit du pire drame de l’histoire de Nice car plus de 70 victimes sont déjà à déplorer.
— Christian Estrosi (@cestrosi) July 14, 2016
“This is the worst tragedy in the history of Nice with more than 70 victims already,” read Estrosi’s tweet.
Earlier, he used Twitter to alert people of the news:
Cher niçois, le chauffeur d’un camion semble avoir fait des dizaines de morts. Restez pour le moment à votre domicile. Plus d’infos à venir
— Christian Estrosi (@cestrosi) July 14, 2016
“Dear People of Nice,” his tweet read, “the driver of a truck appears to have made tens of deaths. Stay for the moment at home. More info to come.”
According to CNN affiliate BFM-TV, “police and the truck occupants exchanged gunfire.”
The Guardian is providing live updates on the unfolding story. “Nice-Matin quoted its own reporter at the scene as saying there were many injured people and blood on the street….There have been numerous reports that shots were fired during the incident, though it must be pointed out that they have not been confirmed by officials.”
The Telegraph also is providing live coverage. Stay updated here.
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