Tower to light up in French colours after Nice attack

For the second time in just a matter of months, Blackpool Tower will be lit up red, white, and blue following a terrorist attack in France.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Jul 2016, 10:34 BST
Updated 15th Jul 2016, 13:34 BST
Candles are lit outside the French Embassy in London, following the death of at least 84 people, including several children, after a terrorist drove a truck through crowds celebrating Bastille Day in Nice. Pic: (Press Association)Candles are lit outside the French Embassy in London, following the death of at least 84 people, including several children, after a terrorist drove a truck through crowds celebrating Bastille Day in Nice. Pic: (Press Association)
Candles are lit outside the French Embassy in London, following the death of at least 84 people, including several children, after a terrorist drove a truck through crowds celebrating Bastille Day in Nice. Pic: (Press Association)

A day after at least 84 people were killed while celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, the Eiffel Tower’s little sister will tonight stand in solidarity with all those affected.

It had last lit up in French colours in November, when 130 people died in six separate attacks in Paris.

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The Union flag is also being flown at half-mast above Blackpool Town Hall in Talbot Square, the council said.

Leader Simon Blackburn said: “I am sure I echo the thoughts of everyone in Blackpool when I say I am truly devastated by the attacks in Nice.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this terrible tragedy.

“For the second time in less than a year, the Blackpool Tower will be lit in the colours of the French flag as we show our solidarity with, and our support for the people of France.

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“In my role as Chair of the Local Government Association (LGA) Safer Communities Board, I meet regularly with Ministers and Civil Servants to discuss and enhance Britain’s counter-extremism measures, and anti-radicalisation programmes, and to work on what more we can do to lessen the threat of a similar attack in the UK.

“Local authorities have a vital role to play in that agenda, and are committed to continuing to build capacity in this area.”

Crowds had just finished watching a firework display last night when a terrorist drove a large truck at them.

As families ran for cover, the killer swerved from side to side to kill as many people as possible as he drove for hundreds of metres along the Promenade des Anglais on the seafront of the city on the French Riviera, witnesses said.

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New Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said a Briton is believed to be among the scores injured.

Speaking as he left his home, Mr Johnson said: “It’s an absolutely appalling incident and there will be ministerial meetings later on today to discuss the implications.

“Clearly this represents a continuing threat. If this is a terrorist incident, as this appears to be, this represents a continuing threat to us in the whole of Europe and we must meet it together.

“The only information that I have is that there is one UK national who is injured.”