(VOVworld) – At least 84 people were killed and 18 others in critical condition when a truck ploughed into a crowd watching fireworks in the Riviera resort city of Nice, France, city officials said Friday.

Wounded people are evacuated from the scene. (Photo: EPA/VNA)

The attack occurred just hours after the French government announced it would lift a national state of emergency imposed after last November’s terror attacks killed 130 people in Paris.

President François Hollande cut short a visit to the southern city of Avignon and returned to Paris to chair an emergency meeting.

Britain’s Foreign Office issued an alert warning British citizens in the Nice area to follow the instructions of the French authorities. The office of British Prime Minister Theresa May said it was shocked by the Nice attack and the UK stands ready to assist France.

US President Barack Obama condemned the attack and said it appears to be a horrific terrorist attack. He offered assistance to France in investigating the attack and bringing those responsible to justice.