ROME, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Italy has beefed up its terror threat security measures following the deadly terror attack in which a truck rammed into a crowd gathering for the French national day celebrations in Nice, local media said.
ANSA news agency said checks have been further strengthened at the Italian border with France in the northern town of Ventimiglia after the attack. "We had news that the fugitives could have headed for Italy, but we have no concrete evidence for now," a police officer was quoted as saying by ANSA.
The Italian Interior Ministry convened a meeting of its anti-terrorism committee, while the Foreign Ministry activated its crisis management unit to follow the developments and check the possible involvement of Italian citizens.
In a statement published on its website, the foreign ministry advised Italians who are currently in Nice to avoid journeys and follow the advice of local authorities.
At least five Italians were reported as missing, including a couple whose daughter-in-law posted a desperate message on a social network searching for them, according to local media. Italian diplomatic sources quoted by Rai state television confirmed there could be some Italian nationals among the victims.
Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti in an interview with Rai said that "concern is high" in Italy about the terror threat although "the work being done by Italy to combat terrorism is huge."
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi voiced support for French President Francois Hollande. Renzi retweeted Hollande's message in which the French president said France is always stronger than the fanatics who attack it.
At least 84 people, including many children were killed and more than 100 injured when a man drove a truck for two kilometers into the crowd watching Bastille Day fireworks on the Nice seafront on Thursday night.
The truck driver was shot dead after opening fire at police who were looking for possible accomplices. Identity papers of a 31-year-old Franco-Tunisian male, in addition to weapons and grenades, were reportedly found in the truck.
Hollande announced an extension of a state of emergency for three months in the country, saying "the terrorist character" of the truck attack cannot be denied.
