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Manchester Concert Attack Kills 22; Children Among Dead Toll From Manchester Concert Attack Rises to 22; Many Are Children
(about 1 hour later)
MANCHESTER, England — The attack at a Manchester concert venue that left at least 22 people dead was almost certainly carried out by one person, the chief of the Manchester police said Tuesday morning, in a bombing that shocked the country and underlined the continued threat to European security. MANCHESTER, England — The death toll from the attack on a Manchester concert venue rose to 22 people on Tuesday, as the authorities blamed a bomber, who died in the blast, for Britain’s deadliest case of terrorism since 2005.
Ian Hopkins, the chief constable of the Greater Manchester Police, said the authorities were trying to determine whether the assailant, whose nationality he declined to identify, was working on his own or with assistance. The police did not identify the bomber and said that they were canvassing leads and poring through surveillance footage to determine if he had any accomplices. Shortly before noon on Tuesday, the police announced that they had arrested a 23-year-old man in the south of Manchester “with regards to last night’s incident,” but did not provide additional details.
Chief Constable Hopkins said that the attack Monday night at Manchester Arena during a concert by the singer Ariana Grande was being treated as a “terrorist incident” and that the assailant had died in the blast. The bomb tore through the entrance hall of the 21,000-seat Manchester Arena at about 10:30 p.m. on Monday, as a concert by the American pop star Ariana Grande was ending.
The singer has a large and international following, and she usually draws a young crowd to her performances, including groups of teenage girls and their parents. While they did not identify the victims, the authorities said there were children among the dead. As condolences poured in from around the world, the British authorities reacted with horror and anger at an attack that appeared to have targeted adolescents and their families.
At least 59 people were wounded in the attack, which appears to be the deadliest episode of terrorism in Britain since coordinated attacks on the London public transit network in 2005. “We now know that a single terrorist detonated his improvized explosive device near one of the exits of the venue, deliberately choosing the time and place to cause maximum carnage and to kill and injure indiscriminately,” Prime Minister Theresa May said in a televised statement.
The assailant was believed to be carrying an “improvised explosive device,” Mr. Hopkins said, though he declined to confirm reports that it had included nuts, bolts or nails as shrapnel. The bomb was detonated in the main entrance and exit as people were leaving the arena after the concert. “The explosion coincided with the conclusion of a pop concert which was attended by many young families and groups of children,” Mrs. May added. “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.”
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, said he was overcome by grief, shock and anger. “After our darkest of nights, Manchester is today waking up to the most difficult of dawns,” he said. “These were children, young people, and their families. Those responsible chose to terrorize and kill. This was an evil act.” The terrorist attack was the worst in the history of Manchester and northern England, and the worst in Britain since 2005, when 52 people died, along with four attackers, in coordinated attacks on London’s transit system.
“After our darkest of nights, Manchester is today waking up to the most difficult of dawns,” Mayor Andy Burnham told reporters. “These were children, young people, and their families. Those responsible chose to terrorize and kill. This was an evil act.”
President Trump, speaking at a news conference in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Tuesday with Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, was among the global leaders to condemn the attack, and he castigated what he called the “evil losers” responsible.President Trump, speaking at a news conference in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Tuesday with Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, was among the global leaders to condemn the attack, and he castigated what he called the “evil losers” responsible.
The attack came in the final stretch of campaigning before a general election in Britain on June 8, and the country’s political parties agreed to suspend campaigning on Tuesday. Opposition politicians — Jeremy Corbyn of the Labour Party, Tim Farron of the Liberal Democrats and Nicola Sturgeon of the Scottish National Party — joined Prime Minister Theresa May in expressing their grief and condolences. The attack came in the final stretch of campaigning before a general election in Britain on June 8, and the country’s political parties agreed to suspend campaigning on Tuesday. Opposition politicians — Jeremy Corbyn of the Labour Party, Tim Farron of the Liberal Democrats and Nicola Sturgeon of the Scottish National Party — joined Mrs. May in expressing their grief and condolences.
It remained unclear what effect the attack might have on the election. But difficult questions are already being asked about what security gaps might have abetted the attack, and what could have been done to prevent it. Ms. May led a meeting of the government’s crisis response committee Tuesday morning. It was unclear what effect the attack might have on the election. But difficult questions are already being asked about what security gaps might have abetted the assault, and what could have been done to prevent it. Mrs. May led a meeting of the government’s crisis response committee Tuesday morning.
Britain is no stranger to terrorism. It suffered an attack in London in March, and the authorities say they have broken up terrorist cells lately. Britain’s threat level for international terrorism has for some time been at its second highest level, meaning an attack is highly likely. Britain is no stranger to terrorism. It suffered an attack in London in March, and the authorities say they have broken up terrorist cells lately. Britain’s threat level for international terrorism has for some time been at its second-highest level, indicating that an attack had been considered highly likely.
Manchester itself was the site of an Irish Republican Army bombing in 1996 that devastated the city center, although there were no fatalities, and Europe as a whole has become all too familiar with the human toll of terrorism in recent years. But the Manchester attack on Monday caused particular anger and pain: It targeted a concert spilling over with girls in their teens or younger, with their lives ahead of them, out for a fun night. Manchester was the site of an Irish Republican Army bombing in 1996 that devastated the city center but caused no fatalities, and Europe as a whole has become all too familiar with the human toll of terrorism in recent years. But the Manchester attack on Monday caused particular anger and pain: It targeted a concert spilling over with girls in their teens or younger, with their lives ahead of them, out for a fun night.
Flags were at half-staff at Downing Street in London, where the prime minister works and lives, and at Manchester Town Hall. Flags were at half-staff in Downing Street in London, where the prime minister works and lives, and at Manchester Town Hall.
Many Britons woke up Tuesday morning to news of the attack, which conjured memories of the terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015, including at the Bataclan concert hall, where 90 people died. Those who had been at the Manchester concert were still trying to come to terms with what had happened.Many Britons woke up Tuesday morning to news of the attack, which conjured memories of the terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015, including at the Bataclan concert hall, where 90 people died. Those who had been at the Manchester concert were still trying to come to terms with what had happened.
“It was a loud bang and then silence, and then loads of girls screaming,” said Diane Burnett, from Edinburgh, who was waiting outside the arena for her 17-year-old-son, who was inside but was able to leave by a side exit. “You didn’t know what it was, whether it was a train crashing,” she added. “It was a loud bang and then silence, and then loads of girls screaming,” said Diane Burnett, from Edinburgh, Scotland, who was waiting outside the arena for her 17-year-old-son, who was inside but was able to leave by a side exit. “You didn’t know what it was, whether it was a train crashing,” she added.
Ms. Burnett’s mother, who was also at the scene, said she had seen several victims, including “one man who was covered in cuts and bleeding quite badly.” She added: “You are sitting in your home and watching what happened in Paris, but you never think you are going to be in that situation.”Ms. Burnett’s mother, who was also at the scene, said she had seen several victims, including “one man who was covered in cuts and bleeding quite badly.” She added: “You are sitting in your home and watching what happened in Paris, but you never think you are going to be in that situation.”
British television stations showed images of girls shrieking in horror as they fled the area. Many parents now face the challenge of dealing with traumatized children and trying to explain an event whose senseless violence they, too, are struggling to comprehend.British television stations showed images of girls shrieking in horror as they fled the area. Many parents now face the challenge of dealing with traumatized children and trying to explain an event whose senseless violence they, too, are struggling to comprehend.
Two sisters, Elizabeth Hardy, 13, and Amanda Hardy, 15, were singing their favorite Ariana Grande song, “Break Free,” when a huge explosion ripped through the foyer of the Manchester Arena, sending both of them to the ground.Two sisters, Elizabeth Hardy, 13, and Amanda Hardy, 15, were singing their favorite Ariana Grande song, “Break Free,” when a huge explosion ripped through the foyer of the Manchester Arena, sending both of them to the ground.
“I didn’t know what to do, I just ran and left my sister,” Amanda Hardy recalled hours later, as she sat huddled on a chair at the nearby Park Inn Hotel, still clutching a pink balloon she had caught during the concert. “It was my birthday, and the last thing I told Liz before the bang was that I had the best night of my life. Then I lost her.”“I didn’t know what to do, I just ran and left my sister,” Amanda Hardy recalled hours later, as she sat huddled on a chair at the nearby Park Inn Hotel, still clutching a pink balloon she had caught during the concert. “It was my birthday, and the last thing I told Liz before the bang was that I had the best night of my life. Then I lost her.”
Their mother, Charlotte, followed the girls from a distance as they tried to get out of the arena. “There was a huge bang, followed by a stampede and then a burning smell,” she said, hugging her youngest daughter. “I tried to stay calm so I could find my daughters.”Their mother, Charlotte, followed the girls from a distance as they tried to get out of the arena. “There was a huge bang, followed by a stampede and then a burning smell,” she said, hugging her youngest daughter. “I tried to stay calm so I could find my daughters.”
“I finally found Amanda lying on the floor,” she said, “her tights were ripped and blood was coming out of her legs. I thought she was dying.”“I finally found Amanda lying on the floor,” she said, “her tights were ripped and blood was coming out of her legs. I thought she was dying.”
At that point, she said, everything was a blur, as she tried but failed to reach her husband because her phone was not working.At that point, she said, everything was a blur, as she tried but failed to reach her husband because her phone was not working.
“There was no one to help,” she said. “I tried to put pressure on my daughter’s leg to stop the bleeding, but she screamed out in pain. Her dad, who is in the hospital with her now, says she has shrapnel wounds.”“There was no one to help,” she said. “I tried to put pressure on my daughter’s leg to stop the bleeding, but she screamed out in pain. Her dad, who is in the hospital with her now, says she has shrapnel wounds.”
Ms. Hardy brought her youngest daughter to the hotel so she could get some sleep. “When the police brought her to me she was terrified, shaking and didn’t understand what was going on. I couldn’t take her to the hospital. I thought the bang was special effects and Ari would come back onto the stage.”Ms. Hardy brought her youngest daughter to the hotel so she could get some sleep. “When the police brought her to me she was terrified, shaking and didn’t understand what was going on. I couldn’t take her to the hospital. I thought the bang was special effects and Ari would come back onto the stage.”
Elsewhere at the hotel, Lisa Conway, 49, watched as her 14-year-old daughter swirled her breakfast around her plate while a group of teenage girls lay huddled under several duvets on the hotel floor, silently staring into space, in a state of shock.Elsewhere at the hotel, Lisa Conway, 49, watched as her 14-year-old daughter swirled her breakfast around her plate while a group of teenage girls lay huddled under several duvets on the hotel floor, silently staring into space, in a state of shock.
When Ms. Conway booked a room at the hotel over a month ago, she had imagined a jovial family breakfast after surprising her daughter with the chance to see Ms. Grande, her favorite artist.When Ms. Conway booked a room at the hotel over a month ago, she had imagined a jovial family breakfast after surprising her daughter with the chance to see Ms. Grande, her favorite artist.
“We came from Glasgow for this show. It was meant to be a dream not a nightmare,” Ms. Conway said, her lower lip quivering as she tried to contain her tears. “There were children, blood, shoes, phones splattered all over the floor.” “We came from Glasgow for this show. It was meant to be a dream, not a nightmare,” Ms. Conway said, her lower lip quivering as she tried to contain her tears. “There were children, blood, shoes, phones splattered all over the floor.”
“We got lucky,” she added. “We ran and came straight to the hotel. How can I explain any of this to a 14-year-old? She hasn’t said a word since she woke up from two hours’ sleep.”“We got lucky,” she added. “We ran and came straight to the hotel. How can I explain any of this to a 14-year-old? She hasn’t said a word since she woke up from two hours’ sleep.”
Ms. Grande, an American singer who started her career as a star on a Nickelodeon TV series, expressed her sorrow on Twitter. “Broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words,” she wrote.Ms. Grande, an American singer who started her career as a star on a Nickelodeon TV series, expressed her sorrow on Twitter. “Broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words,” she wrote.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said that the city was bolstering security measures, and leaders across the world sent their condolences and support to Britain.Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said that the city was bolstering security measures, and leaders across the world sent their condolences and support to Britain.
President Emmanuel Macron of France expressed his horror at the attack, and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of Spain, writing on Twitter, sent his condolences to the families of the dead. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canadians were shocked by the news, while in Australia, people held a moment of silence for the victims.President Emmanuel Macron of France expressed his horror at the attack, and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of Spain, writing on Twitter, sent his condolences to the families of the dead. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canadians were shocked by the news, while in Australia, people held a moment of silence for the victims.
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany vowed to fight terrorism. “This suspected terrorist attack will only strengthen our resolve to continue to work together with our British friends against those who plan and carry out such inhumane deeds,” she was quoted by Reuters as saying.Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany vowed to fight terrorism. “This suspected terrorist attack will only strengthen our resolve to continue to work together with our British friends against those who plan and carry out such inhumane deeds,” she was quoted by Reuters as saying.
“I don’t think it has hit us,” said Jane McCluskey, of Hartlepool, England, who had attended attending the concert with her daughter, Charlotte. With her daughter still wearing a sweatshirt with the logo of Ms. Grande’s “Dangerous Woman Tour,” Ms. McCluskey sounded plaintive.“I don’t think it has hit us,” said Jane McCluskey, of Hartlepool, England, who had attended attending the concert with her daughter, Charlotte. With her daughter still wearing a sweatshirt with the logo of Ms. Grande’s “Dangerous Woman Tour,” Ms. McCluskey sounded plaintive.
“We just want to go home,” she said.“We just want to go home,” she said.