Twenty-two people, including an 8-year-old, were killed and 59 injured in a bomb blast at a concert arena in the northern English city of Manchester on Monday night. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Manchester police have said the attack itself was conducted by one man, who was carrying an “improvised explosive device, which he detonated.” They would be investigating whether he was acting alone or as part of a wider network.
Here are the updates (IST):
6.00 pm: Pope Francis was deeply saddened by the "barbaric" attack, the Vatican said on Tuesday in a message of condolences.
"His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life caused by the barbaric attack in Manchester," read a telegram sent in his name.
"And he expresses his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this senseless act of violence.
"He commends the generous efforts of the emergency and security personnel, and offers the assurance of his prayers for the injured, and for all who have died.
"Mindful in a particular way of those children and young people who have lost their lives, and of their grieving families, Pope Francis invokes God’s blessings of peace, healing and strength upon the nation."
5.20 p.m.: Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack, reports Agence France-Presse.
The group said in a statement published on its social media channels that "one of the caliphate's soldiers placed bombs among the crowds," and threatened more attacks.
5.10 p.m.: Though no claim has been made, the attack fits with the targeting patterns of the Islamist militant groups, an analyst has said in a note.
Otso Iho, senior analyst at Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, IHS Markit, has issued a note saying concert venues and clubs have been targeted previously. "For instance the Islamic State’s attack on the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, France, on 13 November 2015 which killed 89 people, or the attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on 12 June 2016, which killed 49 people.
“Alongside low-capability weapons like vehicles or knives, the use of explosives in the United Kingdom is more likely than elsewhere in Europe, as the availability of fire-arms is less prevalent due to strict gun control laws," the note added.
Manchester Arena explosion - in pictures
4.50 pm: Greater Manchester Police say they have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the apparent suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in the city, reports Associated Press.
Police say the man was arrested in south Manchester Tuesday, a day after the explosion killed 22 people and injured 59, many of them teenagers.
They did not provide details.
Police also said officials arrested a man at the Arndale shopping center in central Manchester but that the arrest is not believed to be connected to Monday night’s attack.
4.50 pm: Queen Elizabeth II condemned the Manchester terror attack as an "act of barbarity", voicing sympathy for victims and emergency workers.
"The whole nation has been shocked by the death and injury in Manchester," the queen said in a statement, adding: "I would like to express my admiration for the way the people of Manchester have responded, with humanity and compassion, to this act of barbarity".
4.40 pm: Police have evacuated a large shopping center in Manchester, England, reports Associated Press. Police declined to comment on media reports that they have arrested a man there.
July McKenzie, who was shopping when the Arndale shopping center, said - “We were just in the shop and could hear people screaming and security guards telling everybody to get out.”
4.36 pm: “We are shocked and saddened at what happened yesterday,” Indian Deputy High Commissioner in London Dinesh Patnaik told The Hindu . “We have seen an increase in terrorism across the world and in quick succession in Britain with these recent attacks. It is time for the international community to take stock of what is happening and go ahead with fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
4.30 pm: Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deadly bombing in Manchester, England, must be “unflinchingly confronted” by the entire world.
Echoing U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments that the attackers were “losers,” Mr. Netanyahu said “it’s our job to make sure that they continue to lose.”
Netanyahu spoke at a ceremony with Trump at Israel’s national Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.
The prime minister said the “slaughter of innocents must be unconditionally condemned and unflinchingly confronted,” wherever it occurs.
4.30 pm: There are five gurdwaras in Manchester, which have all been working together around the clock to provide food shelter and support to those impacted by the horrific attack on the arena, reports our correspondent Vidya Ram.
“When it all happened it was chaos and people were fleeing and the Guru Harkrishnan Sahib Ji Gurdwara which was near the venue started taking people in from the outside, giving them a hot drink, somewhere to sit, a place of shelter where they wouldn’t be attacked,” said Prakash Singh, president of the Sri Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara.
“Today we are all carrying on with this work, providing langhar, and food and drink to those who have been in the Town Hall and working through the night. The doors are open in all five Gurdwaras for people who need a place to sit, or are looking for people not accounted for. We work as one team and when something happens we stand together and pull in our resources and work together with one unit,” he said.
He added that while people were continuing with their business, there was a tense atmosphere in the city, but remained hopeful that the city would not be divided by the attack.
4.15 pm: With Manchester joining the list of European cities targeted by extremist groups, we take a look at major attacks in the continent, since Madrid in 2004.
Click on the locations for details.
4.00 pm: While names of the 22 people killed in the attack are yet to be released, children are known to be among the dead, reports our correspondent Vidya Ram.
Grande, who made her name on the Nickelodeon channel’s Victorious television series, has a huge and young fan base across the world, some who refer to themselves as 'Arianators'. Many of those who attended the concert are thought to be young teenagers, some of whom were set to be picked up by parents and family at the end of the event in Manchester’s largest indoor venue. Over the course of the last few hours videos of the time around the attack emerged, some showing parents waiting near the entrance to the venue, while another particularly haunting one showed scenes inside the venue of terror and confusion as the pink balloons, released at the end of the Grande concert, floated around in the air.
Some parents took to social media to try to find their children, including Charlotte Campbell who is looking for her 15 year old daughter Olivia.
Some attendees took to Twitter to question the security arrangements at the venue. One Twitter user, who said he had been at the event, described security at the venue as “horrendous.” “Only a bag check, no metal scanners, or pat downs for anyone entering through the Manchester Victoria entrance of the arena.”
3.30 pm: British PM Theresa May addresses media, says Manchester attacker aimed to cause 'maximum carnage'.
"This attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice," she says, adding that police and security staff believe they know identity of attacker but won’t reveal it now. "While we experienced the worst of humanity in Manchester last night, we also saw the best," she says.
3.35 pm: Finance ministers from the 28 European Union countries, including Britain’s Philip Hammond, observed a minute’s silence in memory of those killed and injured in the attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.
Ahead of the regular EU meeting of finance ministers, Hammond expressed his condolences to the victims and their families of “this barbaric attack” in Manchester.
“It is, as far as we know, a terrorist incident,” he said. “We are treating it as such.”
Flags are also flying at half-staff outside the European Commission in the heart of the Belgian capital.
3.20 pm: Newly-elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham sent out a statement earlier. "These were children, young people and their families that those responsible chose to terrorise and kill. This was an evil act. Our first thoughts are with the families of those killed and injured and we will do whatever we can to support them. We are grieving today, but we are strong," he said in the statement.
3.00 pm: The Cannes film festival will hold a minute's silence on its famed red carpet Tuesday for victims of the pop concert suicide bombing in the British city of Manchester, organisers told Agence France-Presse.
"At 3:00 pm (1300 GMT) we will be at the top of the stairs to observe a minute of silence," Cannes chief Thierry Fremaux said, adding that a fireworks display planned for the evening had been cancelled.
2.50 pm: Airline company Virgin Atlantic says a flight from Dubai to London has been evacuated over a security threat.
Virgin said in a statement that passengers onboard Flight No. VS401 at Dubai International Airport “have temporarily disembarked the aircraft for additional security checks.”
Virgin said that “this is purely as a precautionary measure as the safety of our customers and crew is our No. 1 priority and we’re planning to have everyone on their way as quickly as possible.”
It called the threat “non-credible,” without elaborating. Dubai airport officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
2.35 pm: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has denounced the “ugly terrorist attack” in Manchester, speaking after a West Bank meeting with President Donald Trump. Abbas says he is sending his condolences to the British prime minister, the British people and the families of the victims.
Both Mr. Trump and the Palestinian leader opened their remarks with a condemnation of the attack in which 22 people were killed by a bomb blast during a concert in the city in northern England.
2.20 pm: Greater Manchester, home to around half a million people, is one of Britain’s most diverse cities, with around 14% of the population in central Manchester with an Asian background, including many with Indian roots, reports our correspondent Vidya Ram .
“There is a terrible sense of shock about what happened last night,” says Mrs. Raj Dutta, the general secretary of the Indian Association of Manchester.
1.40 pm: United States President Donald Trump expressed solidarity with the United Kingdom, condemning the “evil losers” behind the blast.
Mr. Trump was speaking after a meeting in Bethlehem with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, reported Associated Press. Mr. Trump said the attack preyed on “innocent children” and that this “wicked ideology must be obliterated. And I mean completely obliterated.”
"Civilized nations must join together to protect human life," he added.
1.30 pm: Social media users are helping the desperate hunt for people missing in the Manchester concert bombing by circulating names and photos with the #MissingInManchester hashtag, reports Associated Press
The city’s regional government and its mayor, Andy Burnham, were among scores of Twitter users that circulated the hashtag to help people seeking missing family members and friends.
1.05 pm: German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was “incomprehensible” that someone would target a pop concert to kill and wound people.
Ms. Merkel said in a statement that the attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester “will only strengthen our determination to keep acting together with our British friends against those who plan and carry out such inhuman deeds.”
“I assure people in Britain that Germany stands beside you," she added.
1.00 pm: “London stands united with the great city of Manchester after this barbaric and sickening attack,” said London Mayor Sadiq Khan. “I am in constant contact with the Metropolitan Police, who are reviewing security arrangements in London. Londoners will see more police on our streets today.” The attack comes two days after the first anniversary of the murder of the Labour MP Jo Cox by a far right extremist. In a statement on Tuesday her husband Brendan Cox said,'Britain will respond as it always does under attack; with love for the bereaved, unity & resolve. They will not change us. They will not win."
12.30 pm: The Indian High Commission in London said that no Indian was killed in the attack. Earlier in the day, the High Commission had tweeted out helpline numbers for any Indians injured in the explosion. The Sri Guru Gobind singh Gurudwara has been offering support - food and shelter to those in need.
12.20 pm: The White House said that US President Donald Trump is being provided updates on the Manchester concert explosion by his national security team. Mr. Trump is in the midst of his first overseas trip as President. He is scheduled to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and speaking at Yad Veshem, the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.
In a statement, French President Emmanuel Macron said France would continue to work with Britain to fight terrorism. Macron said he would speak with British Prime Minister Theresa May to stay abreast of developments.
11.45 am: Police suspect that the attack may be because of a suicide bomber. They believe he was carrying an improvised explosive device which he detonated. Manchester police say more than 400 officers were deployed overnight after blast at concert. The Sole attacker was killed in the explosion, police confirmed.
11.15 am: British Home Secretary Amber Rudd who is due to attend an emergency COBRA meeting chaired by the Prime Minister condemned the “barbaric attack” that targeted some of the “most vulnerable in our society: young people and children out at a pop concert.” “My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and the victims who have been affected and I know the whole country will share that view.” She added that Manchester had been impacted by terrorism before but its spirit would not be bowed. “This time it has been a particular attack on the most vulnerable in our society - its intention was to sow fear - its intention was to divide. But it will not succeed.’
11.10 am: The High Commission of India in London tweeted out helplines to reach out to Indians injured in the attack,"Any Indians injured during Manchester attack may reach off-office hours Public Response Unit of HCI ASAP at 020 7632 3035. Manchester police emergency number is also available for those affected by the attack: 0161 856 9400. We'll activate more helplines shortly to be of further assistance to families & friends of those affected by attack."
11. 00 am: Ariana's fellow music stars offered condolences as well. Taylor Swift tweeted, “My thoughts, prayers and tears for all those affected by the Manchester tragedy tonight. I’m sending all my love.” Ellie Goulding, Cher (fresh from a big night at the Billboard Awards) and Katy Perry were among others to tweet their support. Cher reflected on her personal attachment with the city, writing “My prayers go out to the people of Manchester...had special times there from youth and beyond.” Singer Katy Perry tweeted, “Praying for everyone at Ariana Grande’s show.”
10.30 am: New York steps up security after Manchester concert blast. New York authorities on Monday stepped up security at sensitive sites after a deadly blast at a concert in Britain, although officials said there was no indication of a threat to US targets.
10.00 am: Police have set up an emergency number for those affected by the explosion, or those concerned about friends and relatives. It is 0161 8569400. The North West Ambulance Service updated the number of injured to 59.
9.35 am: There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but U.S. officials drew parallels to the coordinated attacks in November 2015 by Islamist militants on the Bataclan concert hall and other sites in Paris, which claimed about 130 lives. Two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said that initial signs pointed to a suicide bomber being responsible for the blast. “In the absence of conclusive evidence, the choice of venue, the timing and the mode of attack all suggest this was terrorism,” said a U.S. counter terrorism official who also spoke on condition of anonymity. The Islamist militant group has not claimed responsibility for the attack, although Islamic State supporters took to social media to celebrate the blast and some encouraged similar attacks elsewhere.
9.30 am: A number of Manchester taxi services say they are offering free rides to people trapped by the incident. The taxi companies posted messages about the free rides on Twitter after the explosion. In addition some city residents opened their homes to provide overnight lodging for people who were stranded by the shutdown in some train services because of the incident.
9.20 a.m.: Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron cancelled a campaign tour to Gibraltar after the explosion. Britons are due to go to the polls on June 8.
9.00 am: Manchester Arena is the biggest indoor venue in the city. The arena foyer connects with Victoria train and tram station, a major hub on the northern edge of the city centre. The arena regularly hosts concerts by major stars like Grande. Today’s blast came two months after a careening driver left four people dead on London’s Westminster Bridge , then stabbed to death a police officer at the gates of Parliament.
8.24 am: The 23-year-old Ariana Grande tweeted after the incident, "broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words."After Manchester, Grande was to perform at venues in Europe, including Belgium, Poland, Germany, Switzerland and France, with concerts in Latin America and Asia to follow.
8.05 a.m.: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the blast in Manchester. “Pained by the attack in Manchester. We strongly condemn it. Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased & prayers with the injured,” he tweeted.
7.44 a.m.: Terrible incident in Manchester. My thoughts are with all those affected and our brilliant emergency services., tweets Leader of Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn.
7.40 a.m.: Ariana Grande is safe, says spokesperson. The Dangerous Woman Tour is the third concert tour by Grande and supports her third studio album, “Dang erous Woman.” Grande’s role as Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon’s high school sitcom “Victorious” propelled her to teen idol status, starting in 2010. The 23-year-old Grande, with her signature high ponytail, went on to also star in spinoffs that included “iCarly,” as she worked to develop her recording career. The tour began in Phoenix in February.
7.30 a.m.: Theresa May says the government is working to learn the full details of the blast. May says the government is trying to establish “the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack.” She said her thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected.
7.20 a.m.: Downing Street to hold emergency security meeting at 9 a.m. BST (1.30 p.m. IST) , reports Reuters. US Department of Homeland Security says it is closely monitoring the situation. "We are working with our foreign counterparts to obtain additional information about the cause of the reported explosion as well as the extent of injuries and fatalities,” the DHS said. “At this time, we have no information to indicate a specific credible threat involving music venues in the United States,” the DHS said.
“However, the public may experience increased security in and around public places and events as officials take additional precautions,” it said.
7.10 a.m.: British Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservatives will suspend campaigning for a national election on June 8 after at least 19 people died in Manchester in what police believe was a terrorist attack, broadcaster Sky News reported on Tuesday.
7.00 a.m.: Video from inside the arena showed concertgoers screaming as they made their way out amid a sea of pink balloons. Police advised the public to avoid the area around the Manchester Arena, and the train station near the arena, Victoria Station, was evacuated and all trains canceled.
06.45 a.m.: Britain’s terrorist threat level has been set at “severe” in recent years indicating an attack is highly likely. Police said the explosion is being judged a terrorist attack unless new information proves otherwise.
