A NOISE THAT sounded like gunfire sparked panic at a French Riviera resort as people rushed to flee what they believed was a terror attack, causing a number injuries.

The noise was caused by firecrackers thrown from a car. Around 40 people were injured in the incident in Juan-les-Pins last night.

Beachgoers rushed into the streets of the busy nightlife area after hearing what they thought was gunfire.

Video footage showed tables and chairs overturned on the terraces of cafes and restaurants near the beach and people screaming in the stampede.

The incident came amid heightened tension in France after a string of attacks claimed by the Islamic State group, including the July 14 massacre in the Mediterranean city of Nice when a Tunisian ploughed a truck into crowds celebrating Bastille Day, killing 85 people.

A state of emergency was declared in France after November’s IS attacks in Paris which left 130 people dead.

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The injured were treated at the scene, some in the restaurants, and police cordoned off the town centre.

Juan-les-Pins is known for its vibrant nightlife and annual jazz festival.

In New York, unfounded reports of shots fired at the city’s main John F. Kennedy airport triggered scenes of panic, evacuations and huge flight delays.

© – AFP 2016

Read: Living with France’s terror threat: ‘You can avoid busy areas, but you’ll die of boredom’

Read: French media say they’ll no longer use terrorists’ photos to avoid ‘glorification’