It was a great evening at the ManchesterArena with many people in attendance to watch American singer Ariana Grande perform her concert on Monday evening 22nd May 2017. Thousands of concert-goers had spilled into the venue when suddenly an explosion shook the arena.
A suicide bomber is said to have detonated the bomb that exploded at the Manchester Arena, killing 22 people – including children – and injuring around 60 others. Police and other security services believe they know the suicide bomber’s identity.
According to police, they received reports of the blast at 10:33 p.m., shortly after Grande finished her performance, as thousands of people poured out of the arena. Emergency services were called more than 240 times, 60 ambulances flooded the area and more than 400 police officers were on duty as part of the operation.
The Manchester Arena attack is the worst terror attack on Britain since the July 2005 suicide bombings in central London, which killed 52 people. It also marks four years to the day Lee Rigby was assassinated by Islamist extremists.
The Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the Manchester Arena attack , according to an unconfirmed report by Reuters, the perpetrator who died at the scene after an improvised explosive device detonated was a man, according to Greater Manchester Police, who acted alone.
BBC Tom Symonds also tweeted:
“IS has claimed responsibility for the Manchester Arena explosion. The claim was made through IS channels on messaging app Telegram. “
IS has claimed responsibility for the Manchester Arena explosion. The claim was made through IS channels on messaging app Telegram.
— Tom Symonds (@BBCTomSymonds) May 23, 2017
British Prime Minister Theresa May called the attack “nausea” as she spoke outside 10 Downing Street after chairing an emergency Cobra meeting. She said:
“All acts of terrorism are cowardly attacks on innocent people, but what sets this attack apart is its appalling, pathetic cowardice, deliberately directed against innocent, defenseless children and young people who should have enjoyed one of the most memorable nights of their lives. “
Woman. May is scheduled for a later Tuesday in Manchester. The Queen has also expressed her “deepest condolences” to all those affected. She added that “the entire nation was shocked by the death and injury.”
Pope Francis saddened by ‘barbaric’ attack at Manchester Arena
Pope Francis is deeply saddened by the “barbaric” attack in Manchester, the Vatican said in a message of condolence. A telegram sent on his behalf reads:
“His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life caused by the barbaric attack at the Manchester Arena and expresses his heartfelt solidarity with all who have been affected by this senseless act of violence. “
“He commends the generous efforts of emergency and security personnel and offers the assurances of his prayers for those injured and for all who have died.”
“Notice a certain way of these children and young people who have lost their lives and their grieving families, Pope Francis invokes God’s blessings of peace, healing and strength for the nation. “
US President Donald Trump, who is visiting Israel, tweeted after hearing news of the deadly blast.
We stand in absolute solidarity with the people of the UK. pic.twitter.com/X6fUUxxYXE
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 23, 2017
So far, Manchester Police have confirmed the arrest of a 23-year-old in connection with last night’s attack. Officers in riot gear with guns also raided a flat on the border between Whalley Range and Chorlton. Investigators are trying to determine if the bomber was part of a larger network.
Some of the first victims have been named. Runshaw College, where 18-year-old Georgina Callander studied, released a statement saying:
“It is with great sadness that one of the people who lost their lives in the attack on Manchester on Monday was one of our students.”
It was also confirmed that eight-year-old Saffie Roussos was killed in this attack.
About Manchester Arena suicide bomber Salman Abedi
An investigation concluded that the suicide bombings may have been stopped by MI5. According to the latest report, the UK security agency missed two clues that 22-year-old Salman Abedi planned the attack when a “data wash” identified the attacker as worthy of investigation. It was also reported that upon his return from Libya, Abedi should have been stopped just before the attack at the arena. However, MI5 missed the opportunity to alert the ports so he could be thoroughly questioned and searched.
In addition, NBC news reported that a US intelligence official had warned members of the bomber family about Abedi in the past, saying he was “dangerous”.
Salma Abedi was born in Manchester and raised in 1994 by Libyan parents who had fled to the UK. Referred to as a normal and kind young man, his father said, “We don’t believe in killing innocents. This isn’t us.” die due to the war in Syria.
After Salma Abedi and 22 others killed themselves in the attack, authorities were able to identify him as a bomber using a bank card in his pocket, according to a US media report.