Nice has first fireworks show since 2016 terror attack
The first firework display in Nice since the terrorist attack of July 2016 has taken place in celebration of today’s July 14 Fête Nationale .
Almost three years to the day since the deadly attacks on July 14 2016, authorities in Nice organised the first official fireworks display to take place in the city since. The display was launched from a boat in front of the Quai des Etats-Unis (an extension of the famous Promenade des Anglais).
The display took place on July 13, however - not July 14 - in response to requests from associations representing the families of the terrorist attack victims.
The theme of the event was “renaissance” and “returning to life”, Nice officials said, and it was accompanied by “hopeful music”.
In a tweet, the city of Nice said: "Three years later, Nice is standing, but does not forget its victims."
Today (July 14), an homage to the 2016 victims is scheduled, including a cultural ceremony in the morning and a performance from the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra tonight.
During this, at 22h34 precisely - the time of the attack - 86 beams of light will be projected into the sky from the seafront, in honour of those who died.
Security for the events was understandably tight, with systematic controls and bag checks in place at each entrance. There were also restrictions placed on traffic, road access, and parking.
The attacks of July 2016 - claimed as the work of the so-called Islamic State - killed 86 people, injured 206, and caused 1,360 to be “traumatised” after the event, according to a report from victim compensation group le Fonds de Garantie.
