Nice 2016 Attack: Former Fire Chief Marks 10‑Year Anniversary, Calls for Healing

On July 14, 2016, a vehicle‑ramming attack on Nice’s Promenade des Anglais killed 86 people. At the time, David Clares was the commander of the Nice fire service. He coordinated a response that involved about 460 firefighters and activated the pre‑planned “Novi” (numerous victims) protocol, allowing emergency teams to treat hundreds of injured people.

Ten years later, Clares gave an interview in which he said, “C’est peut‑être le moment de tourner une page,” reflecting on the trauma and the difficulty of moving on. He recalled hearing the radio calls repeatedly and how the operation, though unprecedented, “fonctionné”. Clares, who resigned in 2017 after 27 years of service, noted that the memory of that night still haunts him, adding “Le résultat, je n’arrive toujours pas à l’accepter.” He emphasized the importance of annual remembrance among former responders to ensure the victims are not forgotten.