At least 80 people have died in the French city of Nice after a terrorist plowed a truck, which was "loaded with" grenades and other arms, into a large crowd during Bastille Day celebrations Thursday night, according to officials and the French president.
The incident left an "apocalyptic" scene, according to eyewitnesses, on the famed Promenade des Anglais, put the city on lockdown and drew swift condemnation from world leaders.
The exact nature of the attack was unclear, but the Paris anti-terrorism prosecutor's office was put in charge of the investigation.
French President Francois Hollande extended the country's state of emergency for three months and were mobilizing reservists. He said it was unclear if the attacker had any accomplices.
Hollande also discussed the threat of "Islamist terrorism." “The terrorist nature of this attack cannot be denied,” he said.
"France is horrified by what has just occurred - a monstrous act of using a truck to intentionally kill dozens of people celebrating 14th of July," Hollande said. "France is strong. France will always be stronger than the fanatics who want to strike France today."
Hollande slammed the attack on the national holiday.
"France was struck on the day of its National Day, the 14 of July, a symbol of freedom, liberty, human rights denied by these fanatics -- and France is obviously their target," he said.
"I would like to express on behalf of the nation our solidarity with the victims and with their families. All resources, all our means are being deployed in order to help the injured."
Christian Estrosi, president of the Nice region, told French TV that the motorist "fired on the crowd, according to the police who killed him" and said that "the truck was loaded with arms, loaded with grenades."
The truck was driven by someone who appeared to have "completely premeditated behavior," Estrosi said, adding that the attacker appears to "have used, while ramming his vehicle, a firearm through the window."
According to French Interior Minister Bernard Cazaneuve, 80 people have died, and numerous others were injured, including 18 in critical condition. He added that all demonstrations will be banned in Nice over the next few days.