France attacker identified, 50 children hospitalised

Approximately 50 children have been hospitalised in the southern French city of Nice after a truck plowed into Bastille Day celebrations along the main promenade, killing 84 people.

Two children in the pediatric hospital of Nice reportedly died during surgery on Friday morning, and a spokesman for the hospital said some were between life and death.

The police have identified Mohamed Bouhlel, a Tunisian-born French citizen, aged 31 years, as the attacker.

The suspect was identified using papers found in the truck after he was killed by police.

Meanwhile, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in the Ulanbaatar (Mongolia) began with a moment’s silence on Friday following the attacks in Nice.

EU President, Donald Tusk, described it as a sad day for France, Europe and all that were present at the meeting.

“We are united with the French people and government in their fight against violence and terror,” he said.

Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj, the host, spoke of “very sad news from France.”

He called on the 34 heads of government and state present from 51 countries in Europe and Asia to observe a minute’s silence for the victims.

Robert Fico, prime minister of Slovakia, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the council of the EU, told the meeting that their discussions should include reflection on what happened in Nice.

“The fight against terrorism is among the highest priorities of our governments,” he said.

“We condemn terrorist attacks in every form, wherever and whenever they occur.”

The summit has already been overshadowed by the dispute over China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.

The permanent court of arbitration in The Hague on Tuesday upheld a complaint brought by the Philippines about contested islets in the South China Sea, which holds key shipping lanes and is believed to be rich in mineral and marine resources.

China refused to take part in the arbitration and said the verdict was null and void.