Manchester Arena Attack: 22 Dead, Police Identify Suspect
At least 19 people were killed after an explosion took place in an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester Arena.
- A blast rocked US singer Ariana Grande’s concert in the English city of Manchester on Monday night
- Police says that at least 22 people were killed and around 59 were injured
- Police arrested a 23-year-old in South Manchester, in relation to the attack
- ISIS claims responsibility for the attack
- Britain suspends election campaign for 8 June general election
- Suspected bomber identified as Salman Abedi
At least 22 persons, including children, were killed when a suicide bomb blast tore through a crowd of fans leaving an Ariana Grande pop concert in the Manchester Arena, shocking the country and underlining the continued threat to European security.
The suspected bomber behind the Manchester bomb blast has been identified as 22-year-old Salman Abedi.
Another 23-year-old man, Abedi’s brother, has been arrested in connection with the attack, police said on Tuesday.
British Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the "appalling terrorist attack" that came two months after the Westminster attack. All campaigning for the June 8 general election has been suspended.
The explosion took place around 10:35 pm in the foyer of the Arena building as 20,000 fans were streaming towards the exit doors. It is the worst terror attack in Britain since 56 people were killed in the July 2005 London bombings.
May Says Threat Level Raised To "Critical" After Manchester Attack
Britain has increased its security threat level to "critical" from "severe" following a suicide attack in Manchester that killed 22 people, including children, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday.
May also said members of the armed forces would boost security at key sites and military personnel might be deployed at public events such as concerts and sports events.
"It is now concluded on the basis of today's investigations that the threat level should be increased for the time being from severe to critical," she said in a televised statement following a meeting of the government's crisis response committee.
Suspected Bomber Identified as Salman Abedi
US officials said that the suspected bomber behind the Manchester bomb blast has been identified as 22-year-old Salman Abedi.
Two of the officials who have been in contact with British authorities said that the suspect was believed to have travelled to Manchester from London by train.
The Manchester police later confirmed his identity.
UK PM May Reaches Manchester
UK PM May reached Manchester to survey the site of the attack on Tuesday. She said that the police and the security forces were working in tandem to investigate the possible involvement of a larger group in the attack.
Police Carries Out "Controlled Explosion" in City's Fallowfield
The Greater Manchester Police conducted a “controlled explosion” at an address in Manchester’s Fallowfield district as part of the ongoing investigation. The police also executed warrants in Whalley Range.
Trump and May Agree Attack Was 'Wanton and Deprave'
United States President Donald Trump told British Prime Minister Theresa May that Americans stood with the United Kingdom after a suicide bomber killed 22 people at a concert in the northern English town of Manchester.
The two leaders agreed during a telephone call that the attack was "particularly wanton and depraved", the White House said in a statement on Tuesday.
Trump called May from Jerusalem, where he was meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump also expressed US’ solidarity with UK, in a tweet.
ISIS Claims Responsibility for the Attack
Terrorist outfit ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack carried out on the Manchester arena late Monday night.
It said the attack was carried out with an explosive device planted at the concert, according to a statement the group posted on Telegram.
"One of the soldiers of the Caliphate was able to place an explosive device within a gathering of the Crusaders in the city of Manchester," the statement said.
First Victim in the Attack Named
The first victim in the attack has been named as Georgina Callander, an 18-year-old fan.
The Guardian reported that Callander’s college, Runshaw College, released a statement condoling her death. The statement read:
Queen Elizabeth condoles the death of the victims
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth said that the whole nation has been shocked by the death and injury of so many people in Manchester on Monday night.
In a statement, she said:
She further thanked the emergency services for responding to the attack with professionalism, while also lauding the people of Manchester for their compassion and humanity in “this act of barbarity”.
23-Year-Old Man Arrested
Speaking to BBC, Greater Manchester Police said that a 23-year-old man has been arrested in South Manchester, in relation to the attack.
Another man was also arrested by the police at the Arndale Centre.
This arrest however, may not be related to the arena attack.
Manchester's Arndale Shopping Centre Evacuated
A shopping centre in Manchester was evacuated and witnesses said they heard a "big bang" on Tuesday, just hours after a suicide bomber killed 22 people and injured 59 in the same area of the city.
Police are investigating the incident at the Arndale shopping centre in the centre of the city, an officer at the scene said.
A Reuters witness said that the shopping centre is reopening.
British PM Theresa May Makes Statement on Attack
British Prime Minister Theresa May chaired an emergency Cobra meeting, where she termed the incident a “callous terrorist attack”. Stating that the police were called to the venue at around 10.30 pm, she said that a single attacker detonated the bomb near the exit to cause maximum casualties.
She further added the police believe they know the identity of the perpetrator. May is to chair another emergency security meeting on Tuesday, and travel to Manchester to meet the chief constable, the mayor and the emergency services.
Great Manchester Mayor Announces Vigil For Victims
Great Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said a vigil will be organised in memory of the victims on Tuesday night.
He further cautioned the people from jumping to conclusions on the attackers, condemning him as an extremist who did not belong to any community, reported The Guardian.
Manchester Attackers Are 'Evil Losers', Says Trump
US President Donald Trump has said that the perpetrators of the Manchester attack are “evil losers in life”.
Trump, speaking after talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the town of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, said the US stands in “absolute solidarity” with the British people.
The White House later announced that Trump had spoken to PM May about the attack.
Meanwhile, First Lady Melania Trump offered her condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also expressed her “sadness” and “shock”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said:
He further termed the attack a “cynical, inhuman crime” in a telegram he sent to British Prime Minister Theresa May, on Tuesday.
Putin also reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to "expand anti-terror cooperation with British partners, both on bilateral level and within the framework of broad international efforts."
Union Flags at Half Mast at 10 Downing Street
Attacker Died at the Arena, Says Manchester Police
Greater Manchester Police’s Chief Constable Ian Hopkins on Tuesday said that the death toll has now risen to 22. He said there were children among the deceased, but does not have their details yet.
He also informed that the attacker “was carrying an improvised explosive device that he detonated on the scene” and that he died at the arena. Police suspect there was another attacker involved in the incident.
'We Mourn With You': Euro Chief Reacts to Attack
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker issued a statement on Tuesday saying “we will fight back against those who seek to destroy our way of life”.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan also spoke against the “barbaric and sickening attack”. He also wrote that “Londoners will see more police on our streets today.”
Indian Embassy Activates Helplines for Assistance
Indian High Commission in the UK reached out to Indian nationals who may have been injured in the attack on Monday.
Britain Suspends Election Campaign
A Reuters report said that Britain’s political parties have agreed to suspend election campaigning until further notice after the attack on Monday night.
British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said that he has spoken to PM Theresa May and they had agreed that all national campaigning for the 8 June election would be suspended. Corbyn also tweeted about the “terrible incident”.
Eyewitnesses Describe the Scene After the Blast
Channel 4 News spoke to people present at the venue for the concert. One said that the “seats shook” after a “big bang” while another person claimed to have witnessed a “big flash” after which he saw people on the floor.
People Tweet Photos and Videos From the Site
I'm So Sorry, Says Singer Ariana Grande
Pop singer Ariana Grande, who was performing at the Manchester Arena at the time of the blast, made her first comment since the bombing saying she is “broken”.
Grande’s manager Scooter Braun also tweeted:
ISIS Supporters Celebrate Attack
ISIS supporters celebrated on social media on Tuesday after the blast in the Manchester Arena, although the militant Islamist group has not formally claimed responsibility.
Some messages described the attack as an act of revenge in response to air strikes in Iraq and Syria.
“It seems that bombs of the British airforce over children of Mosul and Raqqa has just came back to #Manchester,” one user named Abdul Haqq said on Twitter, in reference to the Iraqi and Syrian cities held by the militants where a US-led coalition, of which Britain is a member, is conducting air strikes.
Supporters posted messages encouraging each other to carry out “lone wolf” attacks in the West and shared Islamic State videos threatening the United States and Europe.
Treating It as a Terrorist Incident, Says GM Police
Greater Manchester Police’s Chief Constable Ian Hopkins briefed the media early on Tuesday morning and said that it the blast is being treated “as a terrorist incident until we have further information”.
Blasts & Shootings at Venues Across the World
Though the Manchester Arena blast sent ripples globally, it is unfortunately not the first of its kind. Over the years, several shootings and explosions at places where large groups of people gathered for cultural activities or merry-making have been carried out.
On 13 November 2015, Paris witnessed a series of blasts and shootings in several parts of the city, including the Bataclan Theater, where the rock band Eagles of Death Metal was playing. Around 90 people were killed in the attack.
In 2002, at least 182 people were killed in an explosion at a nightclub in Bali.
59 People Injured in Blast, Says North West Ambulance Service
North West Ambulance Service tweeted that the number of people injured in the blast has risen to 59 and they have been admitted to various hospitals for treatment.
'No Indication of Threat to US Music Venues'
According to Reuters, the US Department of Homeland Security said it was closely monitoring the situation in Manchester after the explosion.
The department said in a statement it had “no information to indicate a specific credible threat involving music venues in the United States.”
“However, the public may experience increased security in and around public places and events as officials take additional precautions,” the statement said.
Top Security Committee Meet Today
British Prime Minister Theresa May will hold a meeting of the country’s top security committee at 9 am (0800 GMT) on Tuesday, broadcaster Sky News said.
'So Sad, So Scary'
Singers and Hollywood stars, including Jared Leto, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj and others took to social media to respond to the blast on Monday night. Even Manchester United football club expressed shock over the attack.
British PM Says Officials Seeking Details Of "Appalling" Blast
British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday that authorities were working to establish the details of a blast in the northern English city of Manchester, adding that it was being treated as an “appalling terrorist attack”.
May’s Conservatives will also suspend campaigning for a national election on 8 June, broadcaster Sky News reported.
PM Modi, President Mukherjee Condemn Attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while condemning the Manchester attack on Monday, said he was “pained” by the incident that has left at least 19 dead.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham called it a “terrible night” and offered condolences to families who lost their loved ones.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted:
Suicide Bomber Suspected in Manchester: Reports
British media reports said that officials are suspecting the explosion to be a result of a suicide bombing.
The bomb went off at the exit of the Arena, outside it when people were exiting the concert.
Controlled Explosion is Imminent in Manchester: Police
Greater Manchester Police said that there will be controlled explosion in Cathedral gardens shortly and asked people not to panic.
19 Killed, 50 Injured, Say UK Police
A blast on Monday night at a concert in the English city of Manchester where US singer Ariana Grande had been performing left at least 19 people dead and about 50 injured in what British police said was being treated as a terrorist incident.
UK Bomb Disposal Team at Scene of Manchester Incident: Reports
A British bomb disposal team is investigating a reported explosion at a major concert venue that has caused a number of deaths in the northern English city of Manchester, broadcaster Sky News reported on Monday.
"We are hearing in the last five minutes or so that bomb disposal teams have arrived on scene to begin an examination," a Sky News reporter said.
Witness Claims Seeing 20-30 People on Ground
A witness saw 20 to 30 people on the ground at a music venue where there were confirmed fatalities after a reported explosion, the BBC said on Monday.
A blast on Monday night at a concert in the northern English city of Manchester where US singer Ariana Grande had been performing left an unknown number of people dead and injured, police said.
Police said they were responding to reports of an explosion and that there were a number of confirmed casualties and others injured.
"It was a huge explosion – you could feel it in your chest. It was chaotic. Everybody was running and screaming and just trying to get out."
Manchester Arena, the largest indoor arena in Europe, opened in 1995 and has a capacity for 21,000 people, according to its website. It is a popular concert and sporting venue.
A spokesman for Ariana Grande's record label said that the singer was "okay". A video posted on Twitter showed fans screaming and running out of the venue.
Britain is on its second-highest alert level of "severe" meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely.
(With inputs from AP and Reuters)
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