French officials on Thursday said that dozens have been killed after a van rammed into a crowd of revelers celebrating Bastille Day.

"The driver of a van appears to have killed dozens. Stay in your homes for now. More info to follow," said Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur President Christian Estrosi in a tweet.

"This is the worst tragedy in the history of Nice, with more than 70 victims already reported," the regional president added. He later confirmed that the death toll has reached 77.

He told BMFTV that the truck was filled firearms and grenades. "There were guns in this vehicle and larger weapons, but I can't say more than that because that is the prosecutor's job," Estrosi said.

Sebastien Humbert, the sub-prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes region, told the French television channel that the "truck rammed into the crowd over a long distance, which explains this extremely heavy toll."

An interior ministry spokesman said there appears to be no signs of a hostage situation. French media also reported that the driver has been shot dead, citing officials.

Witnesses also described hearing gunfire. However, authorities have yet to confirm the reports of weapons being used in the apparent attack.

Crisis meeting

French President Francois Hollande has returned to Paris, where he will hold an emergency meeting at the interior ministry's crisis center to assess the situation.

French authorities have created a crisis hotline, which can be reached at +33 (0)1 43 17 56 46.

The attack comes as Hollande said on Thursday that France's state of emergency would not be extended beyond July 26.

He activated the security measure the evening of November 13, when "Islamic State"-affiliated militants launched several attacks across the capital Paris, leaving 130 people dead.

(DW)