Nice Residents Open Doors After Truck Attack
"Open doors" hashtag used again as France deals with yet another terror attack
Almost immediately after a truck smashed into a crowd in Nice, France, killing dozens, social media lit up with local residents selflessly offering their homes as a refuge for those caught in the mayhem.
The hashtag “#PortesOuvertesNice,” which translates to “open doors [in] Nice” sprang up quickly, with French residents once again offering shelter in a time of crisis. It’s the second time that this hashtag has been spontaneously rolled out following a terrorist attack, the first being immediately after the terrorist attacks in Paris this past November.
#PortesOuvertesNice pas loin de la promenade, dm ouvert
— Alexis (@Alexis_allia) July 14, 2016
(Translation: Not far from the promenade, DM me)
Je chiale. Littéralement. Comment ils ont pu faire une chose pareille.. j'ouvre mes portes. #portesouvertesnice
— . (@MaryleneKC) July 14, 2016
(Translation: I am crying. Literally. How could they do such a thing. I open my doors.)
Je suis en haut de la rue Gambetta vers Libeation si qqn a besoin d'un abri!! #PortesOuvertesNice
— Clastres Mélanie (@Umi_ml) July 14, 2016
(Translation: I live on top of Gambette street near Liberation if you need a shelter!!!)
Taxis were also quick to offer their help, offering to drive patrons to their destination free of charge.
Les taxis niçois évacuent les gens gratuitement
The Taxis are evacuating people for free#Nice06 #AttaqueNice #PortesOuvertesNice— LeïlaBK – AymericB (@Lbksphere) July 14, 2016
As residents and businesses opened up their homes amidst what witnesses described as “scary awful,” tourists used the same hashtag to find shelter.
J'ai ma pote qui est à Nice elle cherche un appart pour être hébergé quelqu'un peut me proposer son aide svp…
— Anti&V (@sun_its_life) July 14, 2016
(Translation: My friend is in Nice and needs a place to stay if anyone can offer some help please)
J'étais au festival avec mes 2 filles s'il vous plaît aidez nous, nous sommes Avenue Saint Augustin, l'hôtel est fermé. #PortesOuvertesNice
— Amhai (@AmhaiSharib) July 14, 2016
(Translation: I was at the festival with my 2 daughters, please help us, we are avenue Saint Augustin, hotel is closed.)
The hashtag, which was largely being used by those on the scene and nearby, was also used by those looking for missing loved ones, while Facebook also activated its Safety Check feature.