At least 84 people have been killed and 50 injured, with 18 in a critical condition, after a truck ploughed into a large crowd of people celebrating Bastille Day in southern France on 15 July. The attack took place on the side of a road close to the Promenade des Anglais. The French interior Ministry confirmed that the driver of the truck was shot dead by police. In a tweet it was also confirmed that no hostages have been taken but investigators are currently looking for a potential accomplice. According to AP, the long-distance delivery truck was filled with arms and grenades. This has not been officially confirmed as yet.

The attack happened as spectators gathered to watch a Bastille Day fireworks display at the city's landmark promenade, which runs some four miles along the waterfront. Eye witnesses said the truck was driven at high speed for over 100 metres before it rammed directly into the crowd from a distance at high speed. The truck is said to have been "riddled with bullets" as the driver was "neutralised."

Attack in Nice
Police officers, firefighters and rescue workers are seen at the site of an attack on the Promenade des Anglais Valery Hache/ AFP

Witnesses have described a scene of carnage with "bodies everywhere". Graphic images of bodies strewn across the promenade have been published by local newspaper Le Parisien while shocking video has emerged on social media showing the extent of the carnage as authorities report that the death toll is expected to rise.

Police and emergency services forces are at the scene attending to the injured. Police checks are being carried out on all vehicles in the area while security forces carry out searches on individuals.

Residents of the Mediterranean city close to the Italian border have been advised to stay indoors as Nice is in lockdown . Reuters reports French President Hollande is returning to Paris from Avignon for emergency talks interior ministry crisis center following the latest attack on the people of France. Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said The US president Barack Obama has been appraised of the situation.

The central hospital in Nice has released a number for families of the victims - 04 93 72 22 22.

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A doll lies next to a covered body on the ground in Nice Eric Gaillard/Reuters
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Policemen walk on the site where a truck drove into a crowd watching a fireworks display on the Promenade des Anglais seafront in the French Riviera town of Nice Valery Hache/ AFP
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Sebastien Humbert, the prefect for the Alpes-Maritime area has told BFM TV: “A truck rammed into the crowd over a long distance, which explains this extremely heavy toll.” AFP/Getty
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The mayor of the French city of Nice said dozens of people were likely killed after a van rammed into a crowd marking Bastille Day in the French Riviera resort today and urged residents to stay indoors. AFP/Getty
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A helicopter flying near the site of an attack in the French Riviera town of Nice AFP/Getty
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An injured individual is seen on the ground after at least 70 people were killed in Nice, France, when a truck ran into a crowd celebrating the Bastille Day national holiday July 14, 2016 REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
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French soldiers advance on the street after at least 70 people were killed in Nice, France when a truck ran into a crowd celebrating the Bastille Day national holiday. Reuters
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The body of a person lies on the ground after a van drove into a crowd watching a fireworks display AFP/Getty
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Police officers carry out checks on vehicles in the centre of French Riviera town of Nice, AFP/Getty
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A man walks with his hands up as police officers carry out checks on people in the centre of French Riviera town of Nice, after a van that ploughed into a crowd leaving a fireworks display on July 14, 2016. AFP/Getty
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Police officers and security officers at the scene in Nice where a van ploughed into a crowd leaving a fireworks display AFP/Getty
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People are in shock in the French Riviera town of Nice after a van drove into a crowd watching a fireworks display killing and injuring hundreds . AFP/Getty
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A pictured posted on Twitter of the truck @Nice_Matin
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A picture re taken on July 14, 2016 shows a flash of lightning as fireworks light up the sky over the French riviera just moments before the attack on Nice AFP/Getty