At about 23:00 local time a large white truck plunged into the thousands of people gathered on Nice's Promenade des Anglais to watch the fireworks for France's national day. It drove about 2km through the crowd. Reports say the driver also fired shots.
At least 84 people are dead, with scores more injured. The attacker was shot dead by police. Officials said guns and "larger weapons" were found inside the truck.
The identity of the man is not yet known, but AFP news agency reported the identity papers of a 31-year-old French-Tunisian were found in the truck, citing an unnamed police source. President Francois Hollande said in a pre-dawn televised address that the incident was a terror attack. French President said the country was "under the threat of Islamic terrorism"
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, at the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) summit in Mongolia, says Germany stands by France in the fight against terrorism.
