On July 14, citizens of Nice, France, gathered to celebrate Bastille Day, a national holiday commemorating the French Revolution. Among the festivities was a fireworks display along the Promenade des Anglais, which draws large crowds each year. However, the celebration took a tragic turn when Mohamed Bouhlel, a 31-year-old Tunisian national, used a heavy truck to plough into the crowded promenade, targeting people celebrating the holiday. He accelerated through the crowd, causing widespread panic and devastation. The attack lasted approximately two minutes and resulted in 86 fatalities and over 430 injuries, making it one of the deadliest attacks in France in recent years. Bouhlel was ultimately shot by police, who responded in an effort to halt the attack.

Following the incident, authorities launched an investigation that revealed Bouhlel had been influenced by extremist ideologies and had planned the attack in advance, utilizing social media as a platform for radicalization. The incident sparked a national debate over security measures in France, especially concerning how to protect citizens during large public gatherings, and led to increased security at future events. France's government declared a state of emergency as a direct result of the attacks and sought to bolster anti-terrorism laws.

The Nice attack not only heightened tensions within France but also resonated throughout Europe, prompting other nations to review their own security protocols. This included discussions among European Union countries about sharing intelligence and combating increasingly prevalent forms of lone-wolf terrorism. The profound impact of the attack was felt in the way it reshaped public perception regarding safety in urban areas during significant national celebrations.