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Nice Attack: French mother reunited with her missing baby thanks to frantic Facebook post

Click to play video: 'Nice Attack: How one family was reunited with baby boy through Facebook posts #RechercheNice'
Nice Attack: How one family was reunited with baby boy through Facebook posts #RechercheNice
WATCH: How one family was reunited with missing baby boy after Nice attack through Facebook posts. – Jul 15, 2016

An eight-month-old baby has been safely reunited with his mother after they were separated in the chaos of Thursday night’s attack in Nice, France.

In a series of desperate Facebook posts, Tiava Banner and Rebecca Boulanger – both residents of Nice, according to their Facebook pages – pleaded for the public’s help in finding their friend’s baby boy who was lost during the attacks.

READ MORE: Witnesses describe deadly attack in Nice: ‘Bodies flying like bowling pins’

“We lost baby, 8 months,” read a post by Banner. “Nice friends, if you’ve seen him, if you were there, if you have collected, please contact me.”

The post, which included a picture of the infant, was shared over 22,000 times. Another post that included a description of the child’s stroller was shared over 350 times.

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At least 84 people were killed during the attack, after a large truck drove onto a sidewalk and into the crowd, leaving a trail of bodies over more than 100 metres. Video shot by terrified civilians shows crowds fleeing in panic, leaping off the elevated pavement onto the beach below, and police finally surrounding the stationary truck and fatally shooting its driver.

FULL COVERAGE: Nice, France attack kills at least 84: ‘Carnage on the road. Bodies everywhere’

WARNING: IMAGES ARE DISTURBING, DISCRETION ADVISED

But, about an hour later, Boulanger confirmed the baby had been found safe and the parents were on their way to pick him up.

“A lady brought the baby boy to safety, they are on their way to pick him up now,” she wrote. “Thank you Lord !! with such a horrible night it is such a miracle that through all the sharing on Facebook he was found.”

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According to Banner, the family of the infant did not wish to be interviewed.

READ MORE: Nice attack: how to find information on loved ones

“Thank you Facebook to all those who have helped us and sent messages of support,” she wrote. “Other members of the family are hospitalized. No more comment. Thank you for your support.”

In an interview with Global News, Boulanger said the response on social media was overwhelming. She recieved messages from people around the world who offered prayers for the family of the baby and the people of Nice.

“Prayers and the joint effort of locals and the communities sharing the posts definitely helped this story to be a breath of fresh air amidst the chaos,” she said.

The Nice resident and local pastor added that the community woke up in a state of shock Friday, as many try to understand what happened during what was supposed to be a jubilant Bastille Day celebration.

“Many would have gone, including my family, but decided at the last minute not to. Several of our friends literally jumped out of the way of the incoming truck and onto the rocks but were unharmed. It was a miracle,” she said.

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“My Belief is that in the darkest of hour, is when the light must shine the brightest. To truly be carriers of hope in this world that we live in. As Christians we believe that love always wins.”

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