France has again been the site of a major terror attack when a man sped a large truck into hordes of people on Thursday evening after a fireworks display that topped off the Bastille Day celebration in the southern city of Nice.
More than 75 people have been reported killed, with the toll continuing to rise, and scores more injured. The driver was shot dead by police.
According to Rabbi Yossef Yitschok Pinson, director of Chabad Loubavitch of Nice Côte d’Azur and head Chabad-Lubavitch emissary in the region, at least one of the wounded is a Jewish community member.
Counselors at Chabad’s Gan Israel day camp were at the scene of the attack. Having apparently crossed the street just moments earlier, they narrowly missed the truck’s path of destruction, recounted Pinson.
“They had to run from the truck,” he said. “It was just a few feet away from them.”
Members of the camp were initially placed in lockdown in a local restaurant. They have since left for the safety of the rabbi’s home.
“Obviously, they are very upset, having seen everything—people falling and bodies,” said Pinson.
Chabad will be seeking professionals to help Gan Israel staff deal with the trauma.
“We are praying for everyone who has been injured in this terrible attack,” said Pinson, who requested that people the world over keep Moshe ben Yaakov in mind during their prayers.
