At least 22 people, including children — one as young as eight-years-old — were killed and 59 injured in a “callous” suicide attack in the northern English city of Manchester on Monday night. One person has been arrested in connection with the attack.
As early as Tuesday morning Manchester police said they knew the identity of the attacker, but declined to name him publicly. A U.S. official, however, told Associated Press that the suicide bomber was Salman Abedi.
The attack came exactly two months after a 52-year-old British citizen drove a car into pedestrians at Westminster and fatally stabbed an unarmed police officer.
The bombing at the close of a pop concert at the popular Manchester Arena is the country’s deadliest terror attack since 2005, when 52 people were killed and several hundreds injured in a series of bomb blasts in central London.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Manchester attack via social media, against what it described as “crusaders”. It described the attacker as a “soldier of the caliphate.”
“The terrorists will never win,” declared Prime Minister Theresa May, who condemned the “callous terrorist attack.”
She also attended a meeting of Britain’s emergency COBRA committee on Tuesday morning.
Ms. May contrasted the cowardice of the attacker with the bravery of those who had rushed to help. Political parties in the UK have suspended campaigning for the June 8 general election until further notice.
Police have released the identities of the first two victims — eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos, who had attended the concert with her mother and sister, and 18-year-old Georgina Callander. At least 12 children below the age of 16 are among the injured.
No Indian among dead
The Indian High Commission confirmed that no Indian citizens are among the dead, though details of those injured are yet to be confirmed.
As the city struggled to get to grips with the events of Monday, and people began to return to work, panic gripped the city at points, as a shopping centre was evacuated by police officers.
Police confirmed they had arrested a 23-year-old in south Manchester in connection with the attack and that a controlled explosion took place as part of the investigation.
Poll campaigns suspended after barbaric attack
The terror attack in Manchester that killed 22 people and injured 59 was perpetrated by a man wearing an improvised explosive device, and he died in the arena, according to Manchester police. They are investigating whether he acted on is own or was part of a network.
The attack came as Britain’s terror level remained at “severe”, meaning an attack is highly likely but is not imminently expected. The incident follows a string of attacks on the European continent from Nice to Berlin, including in London two months ago, where six people, including the attacker, died.
“The latest attack marked a clear escalation in the intensity of attacks,” said Otso Iho, senior analyst at Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, of IHS Markit, in a note. “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 attack took place late on Monday evening at Manchester Arena, Britain’s largest indoor arena, at the end of a concert of 23-year-old U.S. singer Ariana Grande, when the audience, which included many young children, was streaming out of the venue.
“This was a barbaric attack, deliberately targeting some of the most vulnerable in our society — young people and children out at a pop concert,” said Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who attended a meeting of COBRA, Britain’s emergency committee, later on Tuesday morning, chaired by the Prime Minister.
Significant resources
“Families and many young people were out to enjoy a concert at the Manchester Arena and have lost their lives,” says Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, who added that significant resources were being deployed into the “fast moving investigation.”
Over 400 police officers have been deployed following the attack, Manchester police said, appealing from members of the public to stay away from the area around the attack.
Leaders of all political parties swiftly condemned the attack and hailed the work of emergency services. Campaigning in the election is suspended till further notice. “I am horrified by the horrendous events in Manchester last night. My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have died or have been injured,” said Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn. “My deepest condolences to the victims and families in Manchester,” said Tim Farron, leader of the Liberal Democrats.
The attack drew an immediate response from the community, with many residents offering shelter to those impacted, including the city’s five Gurdwaras, which provided food, water and shelter to those on the night, as well as support for emergency services on Tuesday.
Hailing the reaction of the people of Manchester, the city’s recently elected Mayor Andy Burnham said: “Even in the minutes after the attack they opened their doors to strangers and drove them away from danger. They gave the best possible immediate response to those who seek to divide us.”
“Broken. From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don’t have the words,” tweeted singer Grande following the attack.
