Nice attacks: Barack Obama condemns suspected ‘terrorist’ incident

US president Barack Obama has condemned “what appears to be a horrific terrorist attack” in the French city of Nice in which more than 70 people have died.

Mr Obama offered any help France may need to investigate the attack in which a truck plowed through a crowd of people who had gathered on the seafront for a Bastille Day fireworks display.

“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,” he said in a statement.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan said he deplored the “loss of life” in the incident.

Mr Flanagan offered “his heartfelt condolences to the people of France from the people of Ireland”.

He said his department was monitoring the situation and that the Irish Embassy in Paris was on stand-by to offer assistance to any Irish people affected.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Irish citizens in Nice can contact the Irish Embassy in Paris on 0144176700. Concerned families in Ireland are advised to contact (01) 408 2000.

“This attack on people as they celebrated Bastille Day with friends and family on a fine summer’s evening is particularly horrendous, and my thoughts and sympathies are with the relatives of the dead and injured,” Mr Flanagan added.

A Downing Street spokesman said new prime minister Theresa May was being kept updated on reports coming in from Nice.

“We are shocked and concerned by the scenes there. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible incident on what was a day of national celebration.”

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: “Canadians are shocked by tonight’s attack in Nice. Our sympathy is with the victims, and our solidarity with the French people.”

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

Presumptive US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was due to name his running mate on Friday morning, but said he was postponing the announcement in “in light of the horrible attack in Nice, France”.

Agencies