When a mind so badly poisoned with blind hatred resorts to actions that defy common decency and respect for others, and inflicts pain and suffering without regard for anyone, innocent people fall victim to an evil that leaves most of the world in a state of confusion over what measures could be taken to hopefully catch someone or a group before they can strike.

What happened in Nice, where when a large truck was used as a weapon to plough through hundreds of men, women and children, was so shattering emotionally for much of the world that even experts were searching for words to describe how an event of celebration in one of the popular spots in France could be turned into a nightmare of broken bodies and lives in a matter of seconds.

France has long been on high alert against terrorism, and two previous terrorism attacks on their soil claimed many lives. The latest tragedy left more than 80 dead and many critically injured. People around the world are beginning to wonder if there is any defence against a person who is willing to die in the process of murdering others, simply because they choose a life of freedom and peace.

With the high state of alertness that France was under — and authorities there have been doing this for quite a few years — it is somewhat puzzling that on a day when thousands had gathered to observe Bastille Day that the net of protection would have a hole that provided an opening for a madman to enter the area with a huge truck, using it to end the lives of so many innocent people. It would not be unfair to ask how could that happen during a high state of alertness.

In other words, while applauding the French forces for taking on the gunman in a most chaotic scene, and halting his ability to take more lives, it seems that no vehicles apart from security equipment should have been cleared to enter that area. Realising that it is easier said than done, somehow with thousands gathered in a place already on terrorism alert, that truck should have been stopped the moment it approached the area. That brief footage of the truck turning on the street with one or two people appearing to give chase was more than disturbing.

At that time, the security net had been penetrated and disaster was moments away. What followed was horror and carnage seldom seen anywhere. By the time the driver of that truck had been killed by French police, the area was strewn with mangled bodies and the badly injured, with the air filled with screams from terrified survivors. The world should never drift back to business as usual because during these unusual times, terrorism continues to threaten the lives of all freedom-loving people.

When terrorists strike, no consideration is given to whether innocent children are in the target area. A number of children died in the tragedy in France, and what made this even worse was that some of them were believed to have been crushed by people in panic mode scrambling for their lives.

One witness told of seeing a woman fall and then become overrun by people desperate to escape. On the other hand, a number of people disregarded their own safety, as they tried to help the badly injured before help arrived.

What those people displayed was the spirit the world needs in combating terrorism in its many forms. The greatest concern is that the lone wolf who slips under the security radar, by having no trace of criminal activity, but who nevertheless has become radicalised by extremist groups that urge commitment in carrying out acts to further their deadly objectives. The lone wolf could be anywhere.

No place on Earth is totally safe from that kamikaze mindset, which gained prominence during the Second World War, when Japanese pilots used their aircraft as bombs by flying them directly into US Navy ships, causing many casualties. Most of these pilots were not expected to return to base, and might have faced execution had they done so.

It seems these days, those involved in terrorism have adopted that tactic, making it very difficult to detect their morbid plans before they activate them. The best weapon is a world committed to joining forces to make it far more difficult for terrorism to carry out acts designed to create fear, and to prevent people from feeling free to enjoy the many wonders of this wonderful planet.

Terrorism must never win.