“There’s no denying the terrorist nature of this attack of yet again the most extreme form of violence,” said Hollande in a national address.
“France was struck on its national day,” he said, “the symbol of freedom.” Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison, a pivotal moment in the French Revolution and founding the Republic. It is a celebration of the French values of Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité (freedom, equality, brotherhood).
But he vowed to remain strong in the face of terrorism and to continue France’s involvement in the war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. “We will continue striking those who attack us on our own soil,” he vowed.
The state of emergency, imposed following the attack in Paris last November, was due to expire in days but has now been extended for another three months. Hollande also called up army reservists to strengthen France’s strained security forces.
“France is tearful. It is afflicted, but it is strong and will always be stronger, I can assure you, than the fanatics that want to strike it today,” Hollande said.
AFP, citing a police source, reported that the identity documents of a 31-year old French-Tunisian citizen were found in the truck. France’s anti-terror department has taken over the investigation.
The driver of the truck rammed into a crowd that included many families with young children enjoying fireworks for the national holiday and drove for two kilometres through the mass of people, killing at least 80 and injuring over 100, at least 18 critically.
Reports indicate the driver also shot a pistol into the crowd before being gunned down by police, leaving bodies strewn in his wake. A search of the truck found it packed with heavy weapons and ammunition.
This is the third major terror attack in France in the past year and a half.
No group has claimed responsibility as of yet but experts say the attack bears the hallmarks of the Islamic State.
A former CIA analyst, Nada Bakos, told Al Jazeera that the attack “looks very similar” to others carried out by ISIS and al-Qaeda who, she said, “were inciting their followers to produce this type of violence.”
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