President Obama called the Bastille Day massacre in Nice, France, a “horrific terrorist attack” in a statement issued late Thursday.
“On behalf of the American people, I condemn in the strongest terms what appears to be a horrific terrorist attack in Nice, France, which killed and wounded dozens of innocent civilians,” Obama wrote in a statement.
The president said he has directed his team to work with French officials, providing assistance for any needs they have as they investigate the attack.
“We stand in solidarity and partnership with France, our oldest ally, as they respond to and recover from this attack,” Obama added. “On this Bastille Day, we are reminded of the extraordinary resilience and democratic values that have made France an inspiration to the entire world, and we know that the character of the French Republic will endure long after this devastating and tragic loss of life.”
.@POTUS on the attack in Nice, France: pic.twitter.com/CrbChxZs04
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) July 14, 2016
Approximately 75 people were killed and more than 150 others wounded Thursday night, according to local authorities, when a large, white truck crashed into a crowd of thousands of people who had gathered to celebrate Bastille Day. The truck proceeded to drive for more than a mile over bodies it struck down.
One French official confirmed it was “an attack,” but authorities have not named the group or person behind it.
