Nice Terror Attack Truck Filmed Moments Before It Ploughed Into Bastille Day Crowd

Lorry pictured driving along the Promenade Des Anglas.
The truck driven along a promenade in Nice, France, killed at least 84 people
The truck driven along a promenade in Nice, France, killed at least 84 people
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Footage has emerged of the moment just before a truck mowed down and killed dozens of people in Nice, France, as they gathered for a Bastille Day fireworks display.

Video shows the large van being driven down the promenade of the French Riviera city, in a terror attack that has already claimed the lives of more than 84 people.

At least 18 injured are in a critical condition.

Reuters said a police source had revealed the driver was a 31-year-old Tunisian-born Frenchman was the driver.

The video below does not show the moment the truck hits the crowd. It does contain distressing images.

There is still confusion on what exactly happened on a night when thousands were celebrating. Witnesses, mostly unnamed, recounted on French television scenes of horror, with one saying the truck mowed people down like a ball in a bowling alley.

Further video footage showed men and women - one or two pushing strollers - racing to get away from the scenes. Photos showed a truck with at least half a dozen bullet holes in its windshield.

Attack on Bastille Day celebration in Nice. If in the area follow instructions of French authorities. Our 24 hour number is +33144513100

— UK in France (@UKinFrance) July 14, 2016

Wassim Bouhlel, a Nice native, told The Associated Press that he saw a truck drive into the crowd. “There was carnage on the road,” he said. “Bodies everywhere.” He said the driver emerged with a gun and started shooting.

The map below shows the route the truck took, turning left onto Promenade Des Anglas by a children’s hospital before striking groups of people in three suspected locations along the road.

President Francois Hollande has called a defence council meeting Friday with key ministers, and will head to Nice after that.

He also announced a series of measures to bolster security. Besides continuing the state of emergency and the Sentinel operation with 10,000 soldiers on patrol, Hollande said he was calling up “operational reserves,” those who have served in the past and will be brought in to help police, particularly at French borders.

He reiterated that France is also bolstering its presence in Iraq and Syria, where he said earlier military advisers would be on the ground to help Iraqis take back the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul.

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said in the aftermath of the attack: “We are in a war with terrorists who want to strike us at any price and in a very violent way.”

Eric Gaillard / Reuters
French police forces and forensic officers stand next to a truck July 15, 2016 that ran into a crowd celebrating the Bastille Day national holiday in Nice, France.
Eric Gaillard / Reuters
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The truck which slammed into revelers.
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In this video grab taken Thursday July 14, 2016, ambulances and Police cars are seen after a truck drove on to the sidewalk.
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A policeman chases people out of the cordoned-off area.
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French soldiers stand guard.
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Police officers seal off the area.
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A police car is parked near the scene of the attack.
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Police officers secure the scene.
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Ambulances line up near the scene of the attack.
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Police officers and soldiers block the access to the scene.
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Eric Gaillard / Reuters
French police forces and forensic officers stand next to the truck.
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A forensic officer stands near a van with its windscreen riddled with bullets.
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A man runs near the scene of the attack.
Eric Gaillard / Reuters
Bodies are seen on the ground.
Eric Gaillard / Reuters
Eric Gaillard / Reuters
Eric Gaillard / Reuters
French soldiers cordon the area.
Eric Gaillard / Reuters
Eric Gaillard / Reuters
Eric Gaillard / Reuters
Eric Gaillard / Reuters
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A woman cries asking for her son as she walk near the scene of an attack.
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French police patrol near the scene.
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A man walks near the scene.
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