Prime Minister Theresa May announced that the people of Manchester and the U.K. had been the targets of a “callous terrorist attack,” resulting in 22 dead and 59 injured.
It was a suicide bombing set off by a man in Manchester Arena during an Ariana Grande concert on Monday.
Authorities have already taken custody of a 23-year-old man in south Manchester thought to be in connection with the attack.
A dreamlike concert turns into a nightmare
This has become the worst terrorist attack in the U.K. in more than a decade. The Islamic State claimed responsibility through their Telegram channel, according to surveillance groups. Police also appear to be in knowledge of the name of the attacker, although they are not divulging any information at the current state of affairs.
Many of the victims were young girls. The youngest casualty could be 8-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos, whose teacher remembers her as a “beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word.”
President Donald Trump referred to the events, offering the U.K. all of its support after it was attacked by what he refers to as “evil losers in life.”
The blast occurred at 10:33 p.m., right after the female pop star finished her set and concertgoers headed to the foyer to buy some of her merchandise. The assailant detonated the device on one of the arena’s exits, where it connects to a train station.
After the explosion, everyone started to panic, as parents looked for their children and posted messages on social media, asking for help to find them. The messages were shared under the hashtag #ManchesterMissing.
Ariana Grande was not injured, but she expressed her condolences shortly after the explosion.
“Broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so sorry. i don’t have words,” she tweeted.
Parents were frantic looking for their children. Charlotte Campbell was reached by the BBC and stated that she was calling everyone to locate her 15-year-old girl Olivia. Olivia called her after seeing Grande’s supporting act and thanked her for letting her go to the event.
Paula Robinson was at the train station after the attack occurred. She proceeded to safeguard girls at a nearby Holiday Inn while tweeting out her phone number to help parents reach her. Robinson stated that her phone did not stop ringing over the course of the night.
Many children are still missing. British artists helped by retweeting messages and helping parents reach out to their children. Taxis also offered free rides home as everyone collaborated to deal with the attack’s aftermath.
Survivors claim that there were no metal detectors or body checks at the concert, although bags were inspected and suspicious objects were confiscated.
As a preventive measure, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has warned that it would increase security in public places and event venues while investigations take place, even if they claim that there is no evidence suggesting a threat to music venues in the country.
“This attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice deliberately targeting innocent defenseless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives,” stated Prime Minister Theresa May outside her residence.
Source: Reuters