President François Hollande has deemed the France truck attack as terrorist in character. The Bastille Day fireworks celebration on Thursday night in the city of Nice was disrupted by a truck that barreled through the crowds.
The New York Times reported that dozens of spectators were crushed and maimed in the recent France truck attack. At least 80 people, including children, were killed by the driver who was shot to death by the police.
A graphic video showed the truck tearing through the crowd. It was also found that the vehicle was filled with weapons and grenades.
"The horror, the horror has, once again, hit France," President François Hollande said on Friday. He added that the "terrorist character" of the attack was undeniable and described the use of the truck as "a monstrosity."
"France has been struck on the day of her national holiday," he said. "Human rights are denied by fanatics, and France is clearly their target."
Mr. Holland had, hours earlier, proclaimed the upcoming end of a state of national emergency on Jul. 26. In light of recent events, though, the measure would be extended by three months and more soldiers would be deployed for security.
The France truck attack comes eight months after the Paris attacks back in November which killed at least 130 people.
"It felt like a war scene," French photographer Antoine Chauvel who witnessed the aftermath of the France truck attack told TIME. "It was horrible."
"It was horrific. There were bodies lying on the road. Some people were trying to save their friends' lives, screaming for an ambulance, for the cops. The more I walked towards Place Masséna [200 yards away from the Negresco], the more bodies there were."
According to CNN, the France truck attack showed a tactic that has already been adopted by jihadist terrorists in the West. Apparently, as early as 2010, Al Qaeda's Yemeni branch has encouraged recruits in the West to use trucks as a weapon.
