Chester MP Chris Matheson has led comments of sympathy and solidarity with the people of Nice describing last night’s atrocity as ‘an attack on us all’ if it turns out to have been a terrorist incident.
People across Cheshire have expressed sadness and outrage at events in France where at least 84 people were killed after an armed man drove a truck at full speed for one mile through a crowd who had gathered to watch Bastille Day fireworks.
As the death toll rises, the French authorities have revealed that 18 of the hundreds injured remain in a critical condition.
French president François Hollande said the Nice killings appeared to be a terrorist attack. The lorry driver shot dead by police has been identified as a 31-year-old French-Tunisian man.
Mr Matheson, who represents the City of Chester in parliament, said: “This is an attack on France. This is an attack on democracy and freedom and civilisation and, from what I know at the moment, it seems likely it could be a terrorist attack and we are awaiting details.
“But if so, it’s not just an attack on France but an attack on all of us.”
Mr Matheson, who has been left shaken by the killing of fellow Labour MP Jo Cox in this country, said there were lots of French people living in Chester because of Airbus but also big employers with French links on Chester Business Park.
“Today they need our support as we stand together with them,” he added.
Cheshire Chief Constable Simon Byrne tweeted a photograph of the French flag overlaid with yesterday’s date and those of other recent killings – January 7, 2015, when 17 people were killed in attacks on the Charlie Hebdo offices and a Jewish supermarket in Paris and the tragedy of November 13, 2015, in which 130 people died in the French capital including 89 at the Bataclan theatre.
He said: “As another awful terrorist outrage grips France, our thoughts are with all parts of the community affected by this tragedy and dealing with its horrific consequences."
Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane tweeted: “My thoughts are with the victims, families and emergency services involved in the tragic events in Nice.”
Canon Peter Howell-Jones, vice dean of Chester Cathedral , said it was likely prayers would be said for those affected by the tragic events in Nice and a candle bank may be set up so visitors can light a candle to remember the victims.
He said: “Obviously I was in complete shock this morning when I woke up. This is absolutely terrible and I am feeling tremendous sympathy for everyone affected in Nice. What a terrible world we live in.
“In my view the perpetrators want us to be in disarray and want rising tensions and it’s how we maintain calm in the context of what’s going on and have a rational response not an irrational response.
“That just requires people to take a step back. The most important thing is to care for those people who have been affected.
“This is not a time for outrageous statements or knee jerk reactions.”
Canon Howell-Jones added: “In the context of the world we live in, we will always have evil, there will always be terrible things happen and it’s how we make sense of that in the midst of the trauma.”
The vice dean anticipates the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will make a statement later.
Professor Tim Wheeler, vice chancellor of the University of Chester, expressed condolences on behalf of staff and students.
He said: “The university is shocked and saddened by this news and our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by these appalling events. The university is an international and welcoming community, and we wish to express our heart-felt condolences to the French people.”
