Summary: A lone attacker detonated bombs at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England on Monday night.
On Monday evening at 10:30 pm, an explosion rocked the Manchester, England arena where pop star Ariana Grande was performing for her legion of mostly young fans. There were reportedly at least two bombs detonated at the site, and today, local police have identified a suspect–Salman Abedi, 22.
Twenty-two people were killed and almost 50 injured in Abedi’s attack, which is marked as the deadliest British terrorist attack since 2005. That number includes the suspected bomber himself, who police say was carrying explosives at the 21,000 seat venue, according to CNN. Greater Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said that Abedi acted alone.
ISIS has already claimed responsibility for the bombing, but so far, there is no evidence to support the radical group’s statement. For the past three years, the United Kingdom has seen a rise of terrorist alerts, and just last March, a man with alleged terrorism ties drove his car into a group of people on a London bridge. His attack killed six people, including a police officer.
Queen Elizabeth II condemned Monday’s concert attack as an “act of barbarity” while American President Donald Trump said that the assailant was a “loser.” British Prime Minister Theresa May said that the attack was “callous” and “cowardly.”
“We struggle to comprehend the warped and twisted mind that sees a room packed with young children not a scene to cherish but as an opportunity for carnage,” May said.
Grande, who had just finished her last song of the night when the bombs erupted, expressed her sorrow on Twitter and has already suspended her world tour.
“broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words,” Grande said on the social media platform.
According to CNN, at least a dozen of the Machester victims are 16-years-old or younger. Eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos and Georgina Callander, 18, have been identified as those amongst the victims who have died.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham mourned for the victims of Monday’s bombing, which has prompted people to speculate that there may be a more sophisticated terrorist network in the country than had been previously reported.
“These were children, young people and their families that those responsible chose to terrorize and kill. This was an evil act,” Burnham said.
President Trump said that ISIS’ “wicked ideology must be obliterated,” and a homeland security source told CNN that the United States was closely monitoring the situation.
“So many young beautiful innocent people living and enjoying their lives murdered by evil losers in life. I won’t call them monsters because they would like that term. They would think that’s a great name. I will call them from now on losers because that’s what they are,” Trump said.
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Source: CNN
Photo ABC News