French embassy in Manila holds memorial rites for Nice attack victims

A candle-lighting ceremony at the foot of a mock Eiffel Tower caps the memorial rites for the victims of the Nice terror attack held at the Alliance Francaise de Manille in Makati on Monday. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

THE Embassy of France on Monday held a memorial ceremony for the victims of the July 14 attack in Nice that marred the French celebration of Bastille Day.

As many as 84 people were killed and more than 200 injured after Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bounlel, a Tunisian resident in France, drove a cargo truck into crowds celebrating the French national holiday.

“We have been deeply touched by messages of sympathy and solidarity from all over the world, including the Philippines, after this heinous attack,” the official statement of the Embassy of France read.

A candle lighting ceremony at the foot of a mock Eiffel Tower painted in blue, white and red caps the memorial rites.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, making, the third act of terror committed by the jihadist group in France, following the Charlie Hebdo shooting last January 2015 and the Paris attacks last November. Jaehwa Bernardo and Kathryn Baylon, INQUIRER.net trainees