President Barack Obama has expressed solidarity with France after a truck ran into crowds in Nice on the south east coast of the country, killing 80 people.
The large gathering of people was marking Bastille Day, the French Independence Day, when the truck driver mercilessly plowed through the crowds before being killed by the French police.
The attack has drawn widespread international condemnation, and French President Francoise Hollande has extended the state of emergency for three months.
Here is the White House statement, describing President Obama’s reaction:
“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. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and other loved ones of those killed, and we wish a full recovery for the many wounded. I have directed my team to be in touch with French officials, and we have offered any assistance that they may need to investigate this attack and bring those responsible to justice. We stand in solidarity and partnership with France, our oldest ally, as they respond to and recover from this attack.
“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.”
