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There was panic in a French tourist resort tonight after the apparent sound of gunfire sent terrified holidaymakers fleeing.

Footage from the scene in Juan-les-Pins shows people running away after a loud noise - which sounded like an automatic weapon being fired - filled the air.

Tables and chairs were overturned and people could be heard screaming as they fought to get away from what they feared was a terror attack.

(Image: Wissam R Hanna/Twitter) (Image: JeremyDjian/Emergenza24)

(Image: Twitter/stephane calvo)

French police denied initial reports of a shooting and said the sound was firecrackers thrown from a car.

However, they confirmed there were injuries after the stampede it caused on Louis Gallet Avenue.

People are believed to have been left badly injured as they fell and were crushed as they tried to make their escapes.

(Image: Twitter/stephane calvo)

(Image: Twitter/stephane calvo)

Several people could be seen in social media pictures and video being taken away on hospital stretchers.

It comes as France, and much of the rest of Europe remains on high alert following a series of Islamist terror attacks.