Spotlight: Europe in shock over deadly Nice attack, resolves to fight terrorism

Europe was in total shock after Nice, a resort city in southeastern France, was hit Thursday night by a deadly attack in which a truck ploughed into a crowd at a Bastille Day celebration, killing at least 84 people.

Leaders from across the world on Friday expressed sympathy with the people of France and condemned the incident. In Europe, which has been the scene of tightened security measures following the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris and the March 2016 suicide bombings in Brussels, leaders showed solidarity with France in confronting the terrorist threat.

At around 10:30 p.m. local time (2030 GMT) Thursday, a white lorry drove at high speed into the crowd, hitting many people before being stopped.

The driver was shot dead reportedly after a trade of fire with police. Identity papers of a 31-year-old Franco-Tunisian male, in addition to weapons and grenades, were found in the truck.

At least 84 people, including several children, have been killed and 48 remain in "critical condition", according to French officials. Media reported at least 54 children were hospitalized.

French President Francois called the incident a "terrorist" attack.

"France is under the threat of Islamic terrorism... Nothing will make us surrender our will to fight against terrorism and we will further strengthen our actions in Syria and Iraq. We will continue to strike those who attack us on our own soil," he stressed.

Francois has announced a three-month extension of a state of emergency that has been in place since the November attacks.

"We are facing a war that terrorism is inflicting upon us," French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said after a meeting in the Elysee Palace, adding that "the only response is that of a united France."

French flags will be flown at half mast on all French public buildings, Valls added.

A German official statement quoted Chancellor Angela Merkel as saying on Friday that "Germany is on the side of France in the fight against terrorism."

"I am very confident that, despite all the difficulties, we will win this fight," she added.

Germany tightened controls in borders with France following the attack, with police saying border checks were increased at airports, as well as land and railway crossings with France.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said she was "shocked and saddened" by the "horrifying attack" in Nice and that Britain would stand shoulder to shoulder with France. She added that Britain was investigating if there were any Britons involved in the attack.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel strongly condemned the "cowardly act which sows death, hatred and anguish" and reaffirmed Belgium's determination to fight against terrorist acts. He said Belgium's celebrations for the national day, July 21, will go as planned but with reinforced security measures.

The president of the European Commission -- the executive arm of the European Union -- Jean-Claude Juncker, extended solidarity with France on behalf of the bloc.

"France can count on the European Commission and the rest of EU countries for continued support in the fight against terrorism both inside and outside the European Union. Our determination will be as strong as our unity," said a statement quoting Juncker, who was attending the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi voiced support for Hollande, retweeting the latter's message, "France is always stronger than the fanatics who attack it."

Checks have been further strengthened at the Italian border with France in the northwestern town of Ventimiglia, around 40 km from Nice, ANSA news agency reported.

"We had news that fugitives could have headed for Italy, but we have no concrete evidence for now," a police officer was quoted as saying by ANSA.

The Italian interior ministry convened a meeting of its anti-terrorism committee, while the foreign ministry activated its crisis management unit to follow the developments and check the possible involvement of Italian citizens.

Acting Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Friday expressed the condolences of the Spanish government following the "brutal terrorist attack." He said Spain would fully cooperate with France to help "find, pursue and punish terrorists and those who support and protect them."

Rajoy said there was no knowledge of Spanish victims in the attack and that he had called a meeting of Spain's anti-terrorism commission in order to analyze the situation.

Meanwhile, the Polish foreign ministry strongly condemned the deadly terror attack and expressed solidarity with the French authorities and society. "Nothing can justify attacks aimed at civilians and everyone who contributed to this tragedy must be held responsible," it said in a statement.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday said he was "appalled and saddened by the terrorist attack in Nice," stressing that NATO stood in strong solidarity with the people of France.

"This attack targeted innocent people and the core values for which NATO stands. But terrorism will never defeat democracy, freedom, and our open societies," Stoltenberg said. Endit