At least 70 dead as truck crashes into crowd in France

PARIS (AA) – More than 70 victims have been killed after a truck ran over crowds in the southern French city of Nice, during Bastille Day celebrations Thursday, according to the city’s mayor.

It is "the worst tragedy in the history of Nice”, Mayor Christian Estrosi said.

Police have indicated the possibility of a terrorist attack and asked residents to stay in place.

“Dear niçois, the driver of a truck seems to have left dozens dead. Stay now in your homes. More info to come,” Estrosi tweeted earlier.

The city’s prosecutor's office confirmed hundreds are injured.

Initial reports said the truck drove into crowds along the Promenade des Anglais following celebratory fireworks.

Sebastien Humbert, a Nice police spokesperson told French broadcaster BFMTV that the driver was killed and that authorities are currently treating the incident as an attack.

The French daily Le Figaro quoted security sources as saying, “Several weapons, guns and grenades were found inside the truck." It also said the death toll is estimated at 73.

Several Twitter users posted picture of victims lying in the street.

"Emergency operation in progress. Keep calm and avoid downtown area. Follow the official accounts to be informed," Nice police tweeted.

President Francois Hollande is heading to the interior ministry’s crisis center that the government activated following the incident, the French presidency said on its Twitter account.

Interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve is on his way to Nice.