Police have released the passport of Nice attacker Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel. French newspaper Republican Lorraine said the 31-year-old French-Tunisian passport was found at the scene of the attack.
At least 84 people were killed and more 202 injured when a truck ploughed through crowds on Nice seafront. 25 people are in a comma. French police have taken in the ex-wife of the Bouhlel for questioning over his possible links to the Islamic State group.
Bouhlel had been in trouble with the law repeatedly but was not on any terrorism watchlist. He was described as a “weird loner” who “became depressed” when his wife left him. Investigators said they are seeking to establish Bouhlel’s motives and looking into possible accomplice.
Meanwhile, the suspect’s cousin claimed that he drank alcohol, ate pork, took drugs, never went to mosque and did not observe Ramadan. He told The Daily Mail that Bouhlel was “not a Muslim” and was an “unlikely jihadist” He said his cousin beat his wife, with whom he has three children, and was in the process of getting divorced.
“He was not a Muslim, he was a s***. He beat his wife, my cousin, he was a nasty piece of work,” he said.
French President Francois Hollande has said that 50 people are in critical condition.
“As I speak 84 people are dead, and around 50 are in a critical condition between life and death,” he said after visiting a hospital in Nice.
According to a French television, a thorough police search of the home of the suspected attacker, carried out by forensics experts, discovered no firearms or explosives. However, computer material has been seized by police and is currently being investigated.