WE ARE becoming all too familiar with the hashtags of horror – #JeSuisCharlie, #JeSuisParis and now #JeSuisNice – and, once again, the world has reacted with a torrent of condemnation, but also a deep sadness.

At least 84 people are dead following Thursday’s nightmare on the Promenade des Anglais, more than 200 are injured with 25 on life support and 52 critical. France has declared three days of national mourning following the atrocity.

Sandra Kinloch, from Stanley, Perthshire, told BBC News the lorry passed six feet from her as she and her husband enjoyed their holiday.

She said: “I was walking on the promenade and seconds later, the lorry didn’t have its lights on, so we could just hear it, it was coming at speed and it was noisy and kicking over bins and things. We were just so lucky to get out of the way.”

French President Francois Hollande said about 50 people were “between life and death”, while several are missing and a “small number” of Britons are injured.

He said: “France has been hit by a tragedy once again.

"This monstrosity of using a lorry to deliberately kill people, many people, who only came out to celebrate their national day.

The lorry at the scene of the attack yesterday morning

“France is in tears. It is hurting but it is strong, and she will be strong, always stronger than the fanatics who wish to hurt us.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her heart went out to those affected by the atrocity.

“We need to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with France, a country which has suffered far more in recent times than any country should ever have to, and I have spoken already today to the consul-general of France here in Edinburgh to convey our condolences and our deep sadness at this attack, but also our solidarity in the fight against terrorism,” she said.

Prime Minister Theresa May said: “If, as we fear, this was a terrorist attack, then we must redouble our efforts to defeat these brutal murderers who want to destroy our way of life.”

The French ambassador to the UK, Sylvie Bermann, said the massacre in Nice was an attack on liberty, equality and fraternity.

Barack Obama, the US president, condemned what he said “appears to be a horrific terrorist attack”.

In a statement tweeted by the White House, he offered assistance to French officials to investigate and “bring those responsible to justice”.

“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,” he said.

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy said he felt “deep emotion and infinite sadness” after the attack.

France’s Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Twitter that the city had been “hit by terrorism” on the national feast day and that the country was in mourning after immense pain.

On his official Twitter account, the Pope said: “I pray for the victims of the attack in Nice and their families. I ask God to convert the hearts of the violent blinded by hate.”

The Moderator of the General Assembly, Right Reverend Dr Russell Barr, wrote to Emmanuel Cocher, the French consul-general, offering condolences.

Barr said: “I write to express shock and sadness on behalf of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland to you and your compatriots. Like many others listening to the news this morning and hearing of the terrible events in Nice, I am appalled at this further dreadful attack faced by the people of France in recent months.”

Our World Mission Council has also written to their colleagues in the United Protestant Church in France. Council Secretary Ian Alexander said: “We are again in shock and sadness at the horrors in Nice and the terrible events unleashed against innocent people enjoying the Bastille Day celebrations.” 

On Facebook, Reverend Jonathan Fleming, from Erskine, who created a social media campaign for peace following the Paris attacks last November, said: “How much more can this country take? Thoughts and prayers for the people of Nice, as well as all affected by mindless acts of violence.”

Dr Shuja Shafi, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said the attack was designed to “sow division” between communities.

“I condemn utterly the violence once again meted out on the people of France,” he said. “They have endured blood and carnage, and it follows weeks of bloody outrage around the world, including in Muslim countries.”

Police in Scotland – along with the rest of the UK – have reviewed security arrangements as a precautionary measure following the attack.

The force stressed there was no specific information to suggest the country is at risk, but the UK threat level remains at “severe”.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson, Police Scotland’s lead officer for organised crime, counter-terrorism and safer communities, said: “Police Scotland is committed to ensuring all communities across the country are as safe as they can be and I would ask the public, especially around crowded places and transport hubs, to remain vigilant and alert, but not alarmed.

“If you suspect something is wrong, then report it to the police.”

Floral tributes have been left at the French Consulate in Edinburgh, and a book of condolence has also been opened in the French Institute for Scotland next door.

Flags are flying at half-mast at public buildings, including Edinburgh City Chambers and the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: “The people of France have suffered devastation and loss in recent years that no nation should have to go through.

“Once again the thoughts and prayers of everybody in Scottish Labour and across the country are with the people of France.”

Holyrood’s Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh said: “I am shocked and saddened by the news from Nice. Our thoughts are with all those affected.”


Joy turned to anguish as revelry is interrupted by a familiar nightmare 

THE Promenade des Anglais – English walk – in Nice is a popular café and restaurant-lined route that follows the seaside in this southern tourist hotspot, writes Greg Russell.

Thousands of people were enjoying the Bastille Day fireworks display on Thursday when their joy turned to horror at 11pm local time.

A white, 25-ton articulated lorry 15 metres long zig-zagged wildly through the crowds, mowing down revellers leaving the fireworks, an audience listening to an orchestra and those who were out enjoying an evening stroll.

The driver – Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, a 31-year-old Franco-Tunisian delivery driver who was known to police for violence and petty theft – drove 1.2 miles down the promenade, killing at least 84 people, including 10 children, and injuring many more.

Bouhlel, who was not known to security services, is then thought to have fired into the crowds, before being shot dead by French police, who stopped the carnage by firing at him through his windscreen.

Guns and grenades were found in the cab of the lorry, along with identity papers, said Christian Estrosi, the regional president in Nice, who added that the attack’s death toll was expected to rise.

No hostages were taken and the lorry driver was said to have been “neutralised”, with authorities investigating if he was acting alone.

As the sun rose yesterday morning, the lorry could still be seen where it finally came to a halt, its windscreen peppered with bullet holes.

A military operation is in place allowing the mobilisation of 10,000 troops as France extends its current state of emergency.

Francois Hollande, the French president, said the country’s borders were being tightened, as he vowed that France would show “real force and military action in Syria and Iraq”.

A Rihanna concert scheduled for last night at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice was cancelled, as were the city’s jazz festival, which was due to run from Saturday to Wednesday, and some of the Bastille celebrations over the weekend.