This article is more than

8 year old
France

Nice attack: Tears, sympathy and open doors on social media

Source: BBC News:
July 15, 2016 at 08:39
First there was #JeSuisCharlie, then #JeSuisParis and now #JeSuisNice has emerged on social media in response to an attack in the southern French city of Nice that has left at least 80 people dead and many injured.

People are using social media to not only express their grief, but in some cases, to extend their help.

Many dead as lorry hits Bastille Day crowd

Live coverage of attack aftermath

Latest images from Nice

#PorteOuverteNice

Porte Ouverte, or Open Door, has been used by many Twitter users in Nice offering their homes to those needing somewhere to shelter.

Users encouraged each other not to share their addresses online, but to privately send them through direct messages.

Use the hashtag #PortesOuvertesNice for a roof or consolation. We are with you, this user says
@ALICEVACHET
"Use the hashtag #PortesOuvertesNice for a roof or consolation. We are with you", this user says
 

This post used the hashtag #Nice06, a reference to the postcode of the district where the tragedy occurred, which has also been trending on social media.

Tweet calling for those to use PortesOuvertesNice
@SYLVAINLAPOIX
#Nice06 is a reference to the district in Nice where the tragedy occurred
 

According to Twitter users, taxi drivers were also offering free rides to those in the area.

Tweet saying that taxi rides were free to those in the area of the Promenade des Anglais
@FHTAGN22

#RechercheNice

Thousands have also posted under the hashtag #RechercheNice, or "search Nice", in the hope of finding their friends and loved ones.

Pictures of those missing have flooded social media, with brief descriptions of each individual. An account called @NiceFindPeople was quickly set up, which circulated a note bearing the names of all those reported lost. It has since been retweeted almost 500 times.

The user in this picture is looking for 18-year-old Zakaria, who is on holiday in Nice
@BCH_SAAD
The user in this picture is looking for 18-year-old Zakaria, who is on holiday in Nice
 
This user is looking for her friend named Charlotte, asking for anyone to contact her if they had any news
@PELTIERJESSICA
This user is looking for her friend named Charlotte, asking for anyone to contact her if they had any news
 

Missing baby

A story from a Facebook user named Tiava Banner who lost her baby has also been widely shared.

"We've lost our 8-month-old baby. Friends in Nice, if you've seen him, if you were there, if you've picked him up please contact me," said Tiava on Facebook.

The post was later updated to say the baby had been found, and thanked a woman named Joy Ruez.

TIAVA BANNER
Image caption"We've lost our 8-month-old baby. Friends in Nice, if you've seen him, if you were there, if you've picked him up please contact me", says Tiava on Facebook

"Thank you Facebook to all those who helped and sent messages of support," Tiava Banner wrote, also adding hashtags associated with the Nice attacks.

The BBC has not been able to independently verify this story, but its spread shows perhaps how much people want to hear of a happy ending in the midst of the tragedy.

#JeSuisNice

The #JeSuis hashtag first emerged during France's Charlie Hebdo attacks, and has since been used routinely to show solidarity with terror victims around the world.

As news of the attacks spread, #JeSuisNice quickly emerged online. However, many have taken to twitter to express their cynicism.

Tweet in French which concludes;
TWITTER
"Je suis epuise" or "I'm exhausted", this user concludes after the string of recent attacks
 
 
Cycle of terror attacks
TWITTER

#PrayForNice

#PrayForNice also quickly made the rounds on Twitter, with many expressing their sentiment and disgust at the attacks.

Here are some of the celebrities and political figures who used the hashtag to extend their thoughts and sympathy.

Is prayer enough? I don't know, but this is the only thing I can do tonight. God give us strength.
@PAULOCOELHO
Novelist Paulo Coelho took to Twitter in reaction to the Nice attacks
 
@LADYGAGA Musician Lady Gaga tweets 'we are with you'
@LADYGAGA
Musician Lady Gaga tweets "we are with you"
 
 
@REALDONALDTRUMP
"When will we learn?" asks Republican candidate Donald Trump in light of the Nice attacks
 

Safety checks

Facebook quickly activated its safety check feature, which automatically sent users in the affected area a message to ask if they were safe.

The feature acts as a way of letting friends and family know if the user is alright.

Facebook safety check
FACEBOOK

France had been on high alert following last November's attacks in Paris in which 130 people died and hundreds were wounded.

The state of emergency had been due to end on 26 July but will now be extended.

Keywords
You did not use the site, Click here to remain logged. Timeout: 60 second