by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:59 PM ET, Thu July 14, 2016
Photo via Twitter
On Thursday night, at least 84 people were killed and another 202 people where injured when a van drove into a large crowd of people following a fireworks display for Bastille Day in Nice, France.
UPDATE: 2:25 p.m. ET 7/15/2016
Authorities in Nice, France, have announced that the man who drove a tractor trailer into a crowded area has been identified as 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, a resident of Nice who was born in Tunisia.
According to CNN.com, a total of 84 people were killed, including 10 children. Another 202 victims were injured in the attack, with 52 in critical condition and 25 in a coma Friday. An additional 28 children remained hospitalized.
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UPDATE: 12:05 p.m. ET 7/15/2016
American Society of Travel Agents President and CEO Zane Kerby has released a statement about the attack in Nice:
"Our hearts go out to all our friends and ASTA members in the South of France today, especially those who lost loved ones in Nice. ASTA is reaching out to our 35 member agencies in France to offer any assistance we can. We hope and pray that France recovers from this tragedy quickly."
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UPDATE: 9:10 a.m. ET 7/15/2016
Following the attacks in Nice, France, the World Travel & Tourism Council CEO David Scowsill has issued a statement about the tragedy:
"It is with great sadness that the world hears of another attack in France. We express our heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of the victims of this callous attack," Scowsill said in a statement. "France is the natural home of international tourism - the most visited destination in the world. With this attack on its day of national celebration of the principles of liberty, equality, and brotherhood - the same principles championed by Travel & Tourism - our sector stands in unity with the people of Nice and France."
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UPDATE: 8:30 a.m. ET 7/15/2016
According to CNN.com, the death toll has risen from 77 people to 84, including at least two American citizens and two Canadian citizens. There are also at least two children among the dead, and another 28 injured and being treated at Lenval Hospital, a children's hospital in Nice.
Authorities in France have announced that they knew of the attacker for petty crimes, but he was not on their radar for jihadism or Islamist extremism. The driver was carrying a handgun and several fake rifles and fake grenades when he was shot to death by police.
The suspect terrorist drove the vehicle 1.2 miles along the Promenade des Anglais, swerving back and forth, striking and running over almost 200 people.
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According to CNN.com, the driver of a tractor trailer directed the vehicle at the crowd of people and accelerated, and subsequent reports indicate the track was steering in a zig zag to strike as many people as possible. The driver was eventually shot to death by police. In addition to the deaths, there are at least 100 reported injuries thus far.
Local media reported the man initially shot into the crowd and then ran people over with the vehicle. After police killed the driver, they reportedly found firearms, explosives and grenades during a search of the truck.
In response to the Nice attack, French President Francois Hollande is returning to Paris from Avignon to conduct emergency meetings with the Interior Ministry. Anti-terror prosecutors have taken also over the investigation.
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