'There are bodies everywhere' At least 84 dead in France after terrorist massacre in Nice

A LORRY deliberately rammed crowds celebrating France's national day in a horrific terror attack – killing at least 84 people, many of them children.

By Patrick Knox /        

Travelling at about 40mph, the truck ploughed into pedestrians on the Promenade des Anglais seaside walk in the centre of Nice in France late last night.

At least 80 people have been killed and many more injured.

Young and old, families, holidaymakers – some British – had been enjoying the Bastille Day fireworks.

But out of the blue a white lorry began speeding toward them, zig-zagging to hit pedestrians as it careered more than a mile down the promenade.

Upsetting images show dead children.

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MILE OF TERROR: Where the attack unfolded in Nice

NIGHTMARE: A child lays dead with her doll by her side

TERROR: Dead people were strewn about

Major events in France have been guarded by troops and armed police since the ISIS attacks last year, but it appeared to have taken many minutes to halt the progress of the truck as it tore along pavements and a pedestrian zone.

French president Francois Hollande said many of the victims were children as he confirmed the country's state of emergency would be extended for a further three months.

Mr Hollande said: "France has been hit by a tragedy once again.

"This monstrosity of using a lorry to deliberately kill people, many peope, who only came out to celebrate their national day.

"France is in tears. It is hurting but it is strong and it will be stronger – always stronger than the fanatics who wish to hurt us."

He also announced 10,000 military officers will be mobilized across the country to assist police in Nice.

Borders will be tightened.

TRAGEDY: The dead had gone out to enjoy the fireworks

Unconfirmed reports say ISIS has claimed responsibilty.

Local media are reporting that the killer is a 31-year-old Nice resident of Tunisian origin.

Other reports said the driver shouted "Allahu Akbar".

Sources say he fired a pistol several times before cops shot him dead. 

The Paris prosecutor's office has opened a terrorism investigation.

The nightmarish attack on a city popular with British holiday makers – and which hosted England fans at Euro 2016 two weeks ago – is the deadliest since the Paris attacks in Novemnber.

Witnesses said the truck, picked up speed and mounted the pavement for more than one mile.

A video shows the vehicle mowing people down as they fled.

Other footage seen by Daily Star Online – which is too graphic to publish – shows mutilated bodies strewn across the road.

More than 100 people lept into the sea to escape the carnage.

SUDDEN: A grieving man stays with the body of his loved one

The driver has been shot dead by police and windows of the truck are peppered with bullet holes.

Guns and grenades were found in the back of the vehicle.

French TV channel BFM said President Francois Hollande was returning to Paris from the city of Avignon to hold a crisis meeting at the Interior Ministry.

CARNAGE: 'Bodies are everywhere'

People in Nice were told to stay inside and limit phone calls as the city was placed into lockdown.

A spokesman for 10 Downing Street said Prime Minister Theresa May was being kept up to date on events in Nice, adding: "Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible incident on what was a day of national celebration."

New foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, tweeted: "Shocked and saddened by the appalling events in Nice and the terrible loss of life."

HORRIFYING: Bodies litter the streets in Nice

Bodies were lying by the beach, as the police and other emergency services tried to deal with a mass panic.

The area around the Promenade is full of hotels and restaurants, which that were all packed at the height of the holiday season.

"It is absolute chaos," said an eye witness who works in the Nice judiciary.

Badly injured people were treated on the scene amid pools of blood.

BLOODSHED: A young woman is badly injured

HORRIFIC: Gun shots can be seen in the truck window

“Bodies are lying everywhere”

Eyewitness

"There are reports of dozens of people killed, and many more injured.

"Bodies are lying everywhere.

"Police are flooding the streets, including anti-terrorism officers.

"Nobody knows what to do, except to hide away. Gunmen are meant to be targeting hotels."

Another eyewitness said: "I saw people mowed down like bowling pins."

DEATH: Covered bodies of people who minutes before were enjoying their evening

Meanwhile supporters of ISIS celebrated on social media an attack in Nice.

"The number of those killed had reached 62 french crusaders and sinful infidels in Nice, France.. God is great, God is great," read one tweet.

The driver was shot dead, sub-prefect Sebastien Humbert told France Infos radio.

Humbert described it as a clear criminal attack.

SAD: Bodies strewn about the street

Residents of the Mediterranean city, which is close to the Italian border, were advised to stay indoors.

There was no sign of any other attack.

On Sunday, France had breathed a sigh of relief as the month-long Euro 2016 soccer tournament ended without a feared attack.

TERRORISED: People cross the street with their hands on heads as a soldier secures the area

EMERGENCY: Negresco Hotel is transformed into a makeshift hospital

Colin Srivastava told BBC News: "We were basically sitting just in front of the Old Town in Nice and saw several hundred people running towards us looking panic stricken.

"We tried to ask a few of them what the hell was going on and finally got one that said, 'You need to go, the police have told us to run'.

"Just around about the base of the hill where the castle is in Nice the police came running along and said, 'Run now'.

"We had absolutely no idea what was going on, to be honest with you.

"When we got down into the port in Nice we were told by a few people who'd obviously run faster than we had that there was the story of a lorry that had gone into the people, basically cannoned into the crowd, and there were also shots fired, which is something we didn't hear about until just now on French news."

LOCKDOWN: Troops on the streets

The Gendarmerie Nationale tweeted: "Emergency operation in progress. Keep calm and avoid downtown area. Follow the official accounts to be informed."

The Promenade des Anglais is famed as a landmark and runs for some four miles. Below it lies a rocky pebble beach.

It is a popular walking and cycling route and was busy with revellers celebrating and watching fireworks.

DISTURBING: Terrible scenes in Nice

France is still under a State of Emergency following last year's attacks on Paris, when almost 150 people were murdered by Islamic State.

The city hosted the England team – along with tens of thousands of fans – just weeks ago for their Euro 2016 clash against Iceland.

It is also a popular holiday spot with Brits.

Lawyer Harjit Sarang was among those caught up in the terror with her children.

The Londoner tweeted: "Running through crowds in Nice with kids and terrified. Never taking kids to a public event again. Finally back to hotel. Hate this!

"F***ing scariest thing ever running through crowds with boys. Got back to hotel and couldn't get in for people seeking refuge!

"Can't stop shaking. Hate that my boys had to experience this. Why did I take them. Why did they do this and why the f*** is this happening!"

Twitter

Meanwhile the president of the Nice region, Christian Estrosi, ordered people to stay inside amid fears of more terrorist attacks.

The man had opened fire on the crowd, Mr Estrosi told BFM TV, and weapons and grenades were found inside the truck after he was killed.

"It's a scene of horror," local member of parliament Eric Ciotti told France Info, saying the truck had sped along the pavement fronting the Mediterranean, before being stopped by police after "mowing down several hundred people".

ISIS linked groups – using French Muslims –have used vehicles and car bombs are among their known tactics.

The CHU de Nice – a hospital in the town – has tonight tweeted the number for worried families in the hours following the horrific incident.