U.S. President Barack Obama has strongly condemned what he said appeared to be a “horrific terrorist attack” in the French resort of Nice.
“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,” Mr. Obama said in a statement.
Mr. Obama said he had directed his team to be in touch with French officials.
“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,” he said.
“Today’s horrendous attack in Nice is an attack against innocent people on a day that celebrates Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity,” Secretary of State John Kerry said.
Earlier in the day, he was in Paris joining the French leaders in Bastille Day celebrations.
“The United States will continue to stand firmly with the French people during this time of tragedy. We will provide whatever support is needed,” he said.
“Our hearts are with the victims of what appears to be yet another unconscionable act of terror. In the coming days we’ll learn more about who did this and why. For now we must stand strong with the people of our dear friend and ally France,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan.
“With the terrorist attack in France, we have once again seen the true face of evil,” said House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul.
Attacks around the world from Orlando to Baghdad to Nice prove that we are in this fight together—and we will prevail over these fanatics and their “hateful ideology”, he added.
“Today’s attack was a horrifying assault on the people of France as they celebrated their freedom, and it is a disturbing reminder of the evil at work in our world and the coordinated, global response needed to stop it,” said Senator Chris Murphy.
Senator Marco Rubio, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said it appears terrorism had again struck the heart of Europe.
“As we wait for more information on this horrific attack, we stand with our close ally in their time of need after this apparent attack against the French people on their national day of unity,” he said.
