THERE was an outpouring of grief last night for the 84 people killed in the Nice lorry massacre - with French President Francois Hollande declaring: "France is in tears. It is hurting but it is strong."
Meanwhile, more details have emerged of the man believed responsible for turning the 19 tonne truck into a weapon of mass murder in the French Riviera resort.
The driver - reported as 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, a man of French-Tunisian origin, who lived in Nice - swerved from side to side as he drove at 50mph along the crowded Promenade des Anglais on Thursday night.
The Millennium Bridge across the Tyne is bathed in the French colopurs in a show of unity. Picture: Raoul Dixon/North News & Pictures
French authorities confirmed 202 people were injured, 25 of whom are on life support, while 52 are in critical condition. Many were with their families enjoying the Bastille Day celebrations. At least ten of the dead are children.
President Hollande said some 50 people were "between life and death" with a "small number" of Britons injured.
France has declared three days of national mourning following the atrocity, which comes after attacks in November in Paris in which 130 died and in January 2015 that killed 17.
Mr Hollande said: "France has been hit by a tragedy once again. This monstrosity of using a lorry to deliberately kill people, many people, who only came out to celebrate their national day."
Bouhlel, identified from an ID card in the truck, is said to have pulled a gun from the cab before being shot dead by police.
The father-of-three, who separated from his wife in 2012, was known to police for delinquency and domestic violence, but was not on any terror watch list.
He was reported to have hired the white truck, usually used for removals, last Monday, picking the biggest available.
Chief prosecutor Francois Molins said police risked their own lives trying to stop the lorry.
He said Bouhlel's estranged wife was arrested in Nice yesterday, while Bouhlel narrowly avoided being jailed last month before that attack, AP reported.
Mr Molins said Bouhlel received a six month prison sentence in March after being convicted of assaulty with a weapon, but officials suspended his sentence as it was his first conviction.
The weapon used was a palette knife against another driver after a traffic accident.
Neighbours described him as withdrawn, saying he was "alone" and "silent".
It is understood the first victim to die was Muslim mother-of-seven Fatima Charrihi. American tourist Sean Copeland, 51, and his 11-year-old son Brodie are also among the dead.
Temporary Superintendent Steve Chapman, of Durham Constabulary, said UK police forces already operate at a 'severe' level of threat and any upcoming events will be reviewed as a matter of course.
Organisers of the Sunderland International Airshow say they are working closely with partners to ensure the safety of the event, which runs from July 22-24.
Penshaw Monument is also bathed in the colours of the French Tricolour. Pictuire: Raoul Dixon/North News & Pictures
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