At least 80 dead in truck attack in Nice

Police officers, firefighters and rescue workers are seen at the site of an attack on July 15, 2016, after a truck drove into a crowd watching a fireworks display in the French Riviera town of Nice AFP/Valery Hache

The French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve gave the updated death toll, after President Francois Hollande said in a televised address that several children were among the casualties.

The driver of the truck was shot dead after barrelling 2km through the crowd on the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais, sending hundreds fleeing in terror and leaving the area strewn with bodies.

"An individual drove a truck into the crowd. He was killed by police," said interior ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet. A photograph showed the front of the truck riddled with bullet holes and badly damaged, with burst tyres.

Police officers stand near a truck, with its windscreen riddled with bullets, after the vehicle ploughed into a crowd leaving a fireworks display in the French Riviera town of Nice. (AFP/VALERY HACHE)

Robert Holloway, an AFP reporter who witnessed the white truck driving at speed onto the seaside road, described scenes of "absolute chaos".

"We saw people hit and bits of debris flying around. I had to protect my face from flying debris," he said.

A lawmaker for the Alpes-Maritime region, Eric Ciotti, said at least 75 people had been killed and another 15 were in a "critical" condition. Hours after the attack, dozens of bodies lay on the ground covered in white sheets.

A casualty lies on the ground after a van drove into a crowd watching a fireworks display in the French Riviera town of Nice. (AFP/Valery HACHE)

Prosecutors said the probe would be handled by anti-terrorist investigators.

"Investigations are currently under way to establish if the individual acted alone or if he had accomplices who might have fled," the interior ministry spokesman said, but he denied reports that a hostage-taking incident had taken place.

President Francois Hollande's office said he would preside over a meeting of the country's defence and security chiefs on Friday.

'PEOPLE WERE TRIPPING OVER'

The bloodshed comes eight months after Islamic State jihadist attacks on Paris nightspots left 130 people dead, dealing a hard blow to tourism in one of the world's top destinations.

Islamic State has repeatedly singled out France as a prime target, and the country has been under a state of emergency ever since the November 13 Paris attacks.

The Mediterranean city of Nice, with its pebble beaches and clear blue water, has been a magnet for sun-seekers and the jetset since the 19th century.

An Australian citizen, Emily Watkins who was caught up in the chaos told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that while she saw the truck, she did not realise what had happened.

"There was a lot of screams coming from ahead of us where the truck was, and people just running towards us and without really knowing what was going on we turned and ran as well.

"People were tripping over and trying to get into hotel lobbies and restaurants or car parks or anywhere they could to get away from the street."

The assault came just hours after France announced that a state of emergency declared after last November's attacks would come to an end later this month.

'STAY IN YOUR HOMES'

Thursday's bloodshed came after a day of revelry as France celebrated its national day, Bastille Day, which began with military pomp and ceremony as the pride of its armed forces, tanks and fighter jets swooped down the Champs Elysees avenue.

The holiday typically ends with spectacular fireworks over the Eiffel Tower in Paris, as well as cities around the country.

However celebrations were quickly overshadowed.

Images on television showed the Promenade des Anglais sealed off, crawling with police and ambulances as authorities from the local Alpes-Maritimes prefecture urged residents to stay indoors.

"The driver of a van appears to have killed dozens. Stay in your homes for now. More info to follow," said Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi.

US Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump postponed announcing his pick for running mate because of the events in France.

Soldiers, police officers and firefighters walk near dead bodies covered with a blue sheets on the Promenade des Anglais seafront in Nice. (Photo: AFP)

OBAMA CONDEMNS 'HORRIFIC TERRORIST ATTACK'

US President Barack Obama was being briefed, the White House said. "The President has been apprised of the situation in Nice, France, and his national security team will update him, as appropriate," said National Security Council spokesman Ned Price.

Obama offered assistance to France to help investigate the attack, which left at least 75 people dead, and "bring those responsible to justice."

"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," Obama said in a statement. "We stand in solidarity and partnership with France, our oldest ally, as they respond to and recover from this attack."

"We know that the character of the French Republic will endure long after this devastating and tragic loss of life," Obama added.

"On this Bastille Day, we are reminded of the extraordinary resilience and democratic values that have made France an inspiration to the entire world."

The incident comes as France was breathing a sigh of relief after successfully hosting the month-long Euro 2016 football championship, which passed off without incident.

Leaders at the Asia Europe Meeting in Ulanbaatar, Mongolia, also paid tribute to the victims of the attack in Nice.

European and Asian leaders pay respect to victims of #Nice attack. We stand united against violence and hatred pic.twitter.com/NU0IRhZd7H