France struck on its national day by horrific terrorist attack

Series Title
Series Details 15.07.16
Publication Date 15/07/2016
Content Type

At least 84 people were killed after a truck drove 2km through a crowd of people celebrating Bastille Day in the southern French city of Nice on the 14 July 2016. Many others were injured.

President François Hollande called it an act of an 'undeniable terrorist nature' and said France was 'struck on its national day … the symbol of freedom'.

Earlier on the 14 July 2016 President Hollande had announced that the country's state of emergency in force since the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris would be lifted on the 26 July 2016. However, following the latest terrorist attack it was announced that the state of emergency would be extended by a further three months.

World leaders condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the French people.

If the Nice attack was confirmed as a terrorism act it would be the third major terrorist attack in 18 months in the country, plus a number of smaller-scale incidents.

France began three days of mourning on the 16 July 2016.

According to French media sources on the 16 July 2016, so-called Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organisation claimed responsibility for the attack.

French prosecutor François Molins revealed on the 21 July 2016 that the driver of the truck, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, had received logistical support preparing for the attack from five suspects who were now in custody and would be charged with terrorist offences.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/france-struck-on-its-national-day-by-horrific-terrorist-attack/
Related Links
France24, 15.07.16: Nice truck attack: what we know so far http://www.france24.com/en/20160715-deadly-truck-attack-nice-what-we-know-so-far
The Local.fr, 15.07.16: Hollande extends emergency powers after 'terror attack' http://www.thelocal.fr/20160715/hollande-extends-emergency-powers-after-monstrous-attack
ESO: Background information: State of emergency in France debated in Civil Liberties Committee http://www.europeansources.info/record/state-of-emergency-in-france-debated-in-civil-liberties-committee/
ESO: Background information: Killings leave town in shock and France on edge again http://www.europeansources.info/record/killings-leave-town-in-shock-and-france-on-edge-again/
ESO: Background information: Letter to President François Hollande of France from European Council President Donald Tusk on the attacks in Paris / Joint statement of the Heads of State or Government and leaders of the European Union and its institutions on the terrorist attacks in Paris http://www.europeansources.info/record/countries-rethink-commitments-to-accept-refugees/
The Local.fr, 15.07.16: What do we know about the Nice terror attack suspect? http://www.thelocal.fr/20160715/what-do-we-know-about-the-suspect-behind-nice
Politico, 15.07.16: At least 84 dead as truck hits crowd in Nice http://www.politico.eu/article/dozens-killed-as-truck-drives-into-bastille-day-crowd-in-nice-reports/
EUObserver, 15.07.16: France relaunches security debate after Bastille Day attack https://euobserver.com/justice/134375
European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: Press Release, PRES/16/2538 (15.07.16): Déclaration du président Jean-Claude Juncker suite aux attentats à Nice http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-16-2538_fr.htm
Council of Europe: Press Release, 15.07.16: Secretary General Jagland condemns the horrific terrorist attack in Nice http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/secretary-general-jagland-condemns-the-horrible-terrorist-attack-in-nice
The Local.fr, 15.07.16: World leaders express horror at Nice attack http://www.thelocal.fr/20160715/world-leaders-express-horror-at-nice-attack
EurActiv, 15.07.16: World leaders condemn Nice attack, call it ‘cowardly’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/world-leaders-condemn-nice-attack-call-it-cowardly/
Euro|Topics: Debates, July 2016: Investigation after attack in Nice http://www.eurotopics.net/en/162651/bastille-day-attack-in-nice
UK: GOV.UK: News Story, 15.07.16: PM statement following Nice attack: 15 July 2016 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-statement-following-nice-attack-15-july-2016
Germany: Federal Foreign Office: Foreign and European News: France, 15.07.16: Major attack in the French city of Nice http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/sid_E52BD707961DD13FABCB4A778ACB1ECE/EN/Aussenpolitik/Laender/Aktuelle_Artikel/Frankreich/160715_Frankreich.html
France: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development: Embassy of France in London, 15.07.16: France will always be stronger than fanatics - President http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/France-will-always-be-stronger-than-fanatics-President
The Local.fr, 15.07.16: Why is France the target of choice for jihadists? http://www.thelocal.fr/20160715/why-france-is-target-of-choice-for-jihadists
The Local.fr, 15.07.16: Nice truck attack shows complexity of threat in France http://www.thelocal.fr/20160715/police-murders-remind-france-of-complex-terror-threat
Deutsche Welle: Tag: Nice attack http://www.dw.com/search/en/nice+attack/category/9097/
The Local.fr, 16.07.16: ISIS claim responsibility for Nice attack http://www.thelocal.fr/20160716/isis-claim-responsibility-for-nice-attack
The Guardian, 16.07.16: As horror strikes again, all eyes are on how France reacts https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/16/as-horror-strikes-again-all-eyes-are-on-how-france-reacts
The Guardian: Tag: Bastille Day truck attack https://www.theguardian.com/world/bastille-day-truck-attack
France: Tag: Truck attack in Nice http://www.france24.com/en/tag/truck-attack-in-nice/
The Conversation: Tag: Nice attack https://theconversation.com/uk/topics/nice-attack
The Local.fr, 21.07.16: Five suspects held over Nice attack to appear in court http://www.thelocal.fr/20160721/fives-suspects-held-over-nice-attack-to-appear-in-court
France24, 22.07.16: Nice truck killer had support, accomplices for carefully planned attack http://www.france24.com/en/20160721-nice-truck-attack-killer-support-accomplices-premeditated-attack
Deutsche Welle, 22.07.16: After a deadly attack, what is the future for Nice? http://dw.com/p/1JULf
ECJ: Press Release, No. 78, 2016: The Court of Justice of the European Union adds its voice to the tributes paid to the victims of the attack of 14 July in Nice http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2016-07/cp160078en.pdf

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