Another attack terrorized the world as a lone gunman, behind the wheel of a 25-tonne truck, zigzagged into the crowd, in the French city of Nice, last night, claiming at least 84 lives, including several children.

The people gathered to celebrate Bastille Day, along the seafront Promenade des Anglais, and just after 10:30 p.m. (04:30 p.m. EDT), when the fireworks ended, an unmarked vehicle drove right through them and didn’t stop for 2 km (1.5 miles).

When the truck eventually came to rest, the attacker, identified as a 31-year old Tunisian-born Frenchman, according to a local police source, quoted by Reuters, opened fire and was eventually shot dead by officers.

He was known to the authorities with crimes such as theft and violence, but he was not on the watch list of intelligence services. Following a vehicle inspection, weapons and grenades were found inside it, according to a local government official.

Those lucky enough to escape described in terror what they have witnessed: “I saw this enormous white truck go past at top speed. It was shooting, shooting“, said a 65-year old woman. “The truck stopped, we were just five meters away. A woman was there, she lost her son. Her son was on the ground, bleeding“, another witness said.

French President Francois Hollande called it a terrorist act and announced that the state of emergency, which should have been lifted by the end of July, following the Paris attacks in November, will be extended by another three months: “France is filled with sadness by this new tragedy. There’s no denying the terrorist nature of this attack.“

The police are still trying to establish whether the gunman had any accomplices. On Friday morning, there have been no claims of responsibility.

Warning: Graphic images, viewer discretion is advised

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEOS