The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for Thursday's night's truck attack in Nice that left 84 people dead, according to IS-affiliated Amaq news agency, as French police announced they had made five arrests in connection with the incident.

The news agency cited an "insider source" saying that "the person who carried out the operation in Nice, France, to run down people was one of the soldiers of Islamic State".

Police shine a light as they approach the truck driver's cab late on Thursday. Credit:Nader El Shafei/AP

"He carried out the operation in response to calls to target nationals of states that are part of the coalition fighting Islamic State".

However it is not clear if Islamic State are simply seeking publicity from the attack or whether they are claiming responsibility for an attack they may have directed.