World leaders and mourners around the globe are standing in solidarity with Nice, France, after a truck plowed through Bastille Day celebrations Thursday night, killing at least 84 people.
Officials have said it was a deliberate attack ― something all too familiar to the French people after more than 120 were killed in terrorist attacks in Paris last November.
As details continued to emerge, French leaders and heads of state around the world quickly took to social media to express their support and solidarity with the people of Nice.
“On behalf of Parisians, (we extend) all of our fraternal support to the people of Nice,” Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted. “Our cities are united.”
“We are terrified and we would like to present all the affected families our sincere condolences. #Nice06,” Nice Mayor Philippe Pradal wrote.
“Deep emotion and infinite sadness over the attack at #Nice06,” former French President Nicolas Sarkozy tweeted. “Solidarity toward Nice residents and Alpes-Maritimes residents.”
“Total horror in Nice,” wrote Florian Philippot, vice president of France’s National Front party. “France was attacked, once again. Courage.”
“Dear people of Nice, with all of my heart I am by the side of each & every one of you,” former Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi wrote. “We must stand firm.”
“Horrified by the events of #Nice. #Lyon in solidarity with the people of Nice,” Lyon Mayor Gérard Collomb wrote. “Full support for President @cestrosi in these tragic circumstances.”
Support from world leaders also poured in.
“Shocked by the news from Nice that I’m following with concern,” Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Brey wrote. “My condolences to the victims and to all the French people.”
“Sadness and deep emotion following the events of #Nice06,” Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel wrote. “All my thoughts for the victims of this heinous act and our french friends.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her nation also stands in solidarity with France. “Germany stands at France’s side in the fight against terrorism,” she vowed.
In Turkey, where French missions have been closed since Wednesday due to security threats, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered his condolences.
“For terrorist groups, there is no difference between Turkey and France, Iraq and Belgium, and Saudi Arabia and the United States,” he said. “Terrorism has no religion, race or nationality. And the perpetrators of this bloodthirsty attack have nothing to do with humanity. In fact, there is no room for these barbarians in this world ― nor should there ever be.”
Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who was “shocked by the violence and exceptional cynicism” of the attack, also extended his support to the French people.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack in Nice and said his nation was ready to help “fight this evil until it is defeated.”
Offering his sympathies, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi called the incident an “abhorrent terrorist attack in the French city of Nice.”
European Council President Donald Tusk shared photos of European and Asian leaders acknowledging the deaths during a meeting.
Pope Francis tweeted his support early Friday morning.
Presumptive U.S. presidential nominees Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton also extended their support.
”I am sick at heart about what has happened to the French people,” Clinton said on CNN. “This is a horrific attack. It reminds us very vividly and tragically we have to stand with our allies and not abandon them and stand with NATO and not undermine them.”
”Every American stands in strong solidarity with the people of France,” she added via a statement posted to Twitter.
Social media lit up with illustrations and graphics using the hashtags #PrayForNice and #JeSuisNice.
Facebook also activated its safety check feature, which allows people located near a crisis situation to indicate their safety to family and friends.
See more solidarity graphics below:
Social Solidarity For Nice!
This post has been updated with comments from more world leaders.
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