Questions arise over security before Nice attack; inquiry opened

Paris (dpa) - France opened an inquiry into security measures in the southern city of Nice on the night that a man ploughed a truck through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day, killing 84 people.The "technical" inquiry - to be headed by the police oversight body - was announced Thursday by Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve after mounting criticism of the measures taken to ensure the celebrations were secure.Late Wednesday, a report published by newspaper Liberation raised quesions about the extent of security, how many police and what level of police were present at the start of the promenade.Liberation claimed that only two municipal police officers were present on the entrance to the seaside walk where crowds were gathered for the fireworks show, saying that their findings were contrary to previous statements made by Cazeneuve.Two days after the attack, Cazeneuve said that the "national police were present, and very present, on the Promenade des Anglais" and added that police vehicles blocked access to the promenade.Liberation cited witnesses, footage and a police officer saying there had been only one municipal police vehicle at the entrance where 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel began the 2-kilometre drive with a heavy delivery truck running over spectators and causing hundreds of injuries.Speaking from Ireland, French President Francois Hollande said the inquiry was to seek answers about whether security plans were sufficient, but called for calm. "There is no place for polemics, there is only place for truth and transparency," he said.Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the the government "has nothing to hide" and added that, "in this moment we are in need of unity."