Social media network activates Safety Check in France after Nice attack

folarin okunola

July 15, 2016 11:54 AM

At least 84 people have been confirmed dead - several of whom were children - after a lorry driver drove into crowds that were celebrating France's national Bastille Day in Nice.

Following the horrible

At least 84 people have been confirmed dead - several of whom were children - after a lorry driver drove into crowds that were celebrating France's national Bastille Day in Nice.

About 18 people are critically injured and remain in the hospital following the attacks. In response, French President Francois Hollande said the incident was a "terrorist crime" and has extended France's state of emergency by three months.

Early reports say the driver who drove the lorry into the crowds emerged from the lorry firing his gun. The suspected is reported to be a 31-year old French-Tunisian who has since been killed by police in the attack which resulted in at least one Briton confirmed injured.

ALSO READ: Facebook founder announces safety check activation following bomb blasts in Yola

Facebook's safety check feature automatically sends users in an affected area a note asking if they are safe. So when a user clicks on "Yes, let my friends know," their Facebook friends are then notified.

"We hope the people in the area find the tool a helpful way to let their friends and family know they are OK," said a Facebook spokesperson, in a statement.

The French government has declared a three-day mourning period for the victims of the Nice attack.

On November 13, 2015, Islamist militants conducted a series of attacks on Paris, France that ended in the death of 130 people. Since 2003, there have been 19 terror attacks in Paris alone.

Following Thursdays attack, the British Foreign Office has revised its travel advice for France and other nations in the European Union have been put on alert.

folarin okunola