Mourning for Manchester
At least 22 killed, IS claims responsibility
A Union flag flies at half- mast above the Houses of Parliament in London on Tuesday to mourn those killed and injured in the terror attack at the Manchester Arena in Manchester on Monday. Twenty- two people have been killed and dozens injured in Britain’s deadliest terror attack in over a decade after a suspected suicide bomber targeted fans leaving a concert of US singer Ariana Grande
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the deadly attack at the Manchester Arena and said it was carried out with an explosive device planted at the concert, according to a statement the group posted on Telegram.
“One of the soldiers of the Caliphate was able to place an explosive device within a gathering of the Crusaders in the city of Manchester,” the statement said.
At least 22 people, including children, were killed and 59 injured in a suspected suicide attack at the Manchester Arena, BBC reported. “This is currently being treated as a terrorist incident until police know otherwise,” a police statement said. Police said the explosion struck just before 10: 33 pm local time on Monday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent his condolences to Queen Elizabeth II Tuesday. In his message, Xi expressed deep sorrow to the innocent victims and sincere condolences to the injured and the families of those killed in the incident, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The Chinese people stand firmly with the British people at this difficult time, Xi said.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May said her thoughts were with those affected by “what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack,” the BBC reported.
Initial signs point to a suicide bomber as the cause of the explosion at the Manchester Arena, two US officials were cited by Reuters.
May said that police and security services knew the identity of a suspected suicide bomber, but that the authorities were not ready to announce the identity of the attacker.
A fleet of ambulances raced to the city center as people fled the scene. People were urged to evacuate the busy Victoria Railway Station near the arena, with all trains halted. The whole area was also evacuated and a huge cordon set up, reports said.
Although the attackers’ identity remains to be confirmed, British fear and concern over immigrants and minorities will surely rise, and this attack will be “a bloody gift” to the Conservative Party, which supports a stricter immigration policy and Brexit, in the upcoming election, Chu Yin, an associate professor at the University of International Relations, said.
The blast caused panic among the mostly young audience, which took place as they were leaving a concert of US pop artist Ariana Grande, the police said.
The Manchester Arena has a capacity of around 21,000, but it is not clear how many of those struck by the blast attended the concert, Xinhua said.
There have been no reports of Chinese casualties. Kevin Zhang, a University of Manchester student, told the Global Times that they were advised to avoid crowded places in Manchester. There is a certain risk with the “Great Manchester Run” half marathon and 10k this weekend, he said.