Manchester attack: CCTV shows bomber Abedi before Arena blast
MANCHESTER: Britain police have released CCTV footage of Manchester bomber Salman Abedi on the night of the attack as thousands defied the terror threat to take part in the Great Manchester Run on Sunday.
Security was tight as 40,000 runners pounded Manchester’s streets in the annual half marathon (21.1 km) a day after Prime Minister Theresa May lowered the terror threat level, which was hiked following Monday’s carnage. Investigators gave details of Abedi’s last hours as they released photographs from security cameras showing the black- clad suicide bomber wearing jeans and trainers, a black bodywarmer and baseball cap, the straps of his backpack visible on his shoulders.
The 22-year-old, of Libyan origin, was born in the northwestern English city. The police statement said one of the last places he went to was a “city centre flat and from there he left to make his way to the Manchester Arena” where the attack took place.
“The flat is highly relevant as a location which we believe may be the final assembly place for the device.” Two unarmed police officers remained on guard outside the entrance to Granby House, believed to contain the flat in question, according to an AFP correspondent at the scene.“it is surprising because these people are just under your nose and you don’t know it,” said Harpreet Lota, a Manchester resident walking past the building.
In their latest operations, police detained two men, aged 20 and 22, in a raid in north Manchester early on Saturday.
Along with the 11 suspects in UK custody, police in Libya have detained Abedi’s father and brother. A third of those killed in Monday’s bombing were children, and another 116 people were injured.
The attack, which has been claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group, targeted young fans at the end of a concert by US teen pop idol Ariana Grande. NEW YORK: A 22-yearold man in the US is facing a federal charge after he allegedly attempted to bite a flight attendant before opening an aircraft door and jumping to the tarmac below, according to media reports.
American Airlines Flight 5242 to New Bern at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina was holding just off a taxiway on May 25, with the fasten-seatbelt sign illuminated, when Tun Lon Sein allegedly got out of his seat and attempted to open the main aircraft door. A flight attendant stood up and immediately told Sein to return to his seat while two other passengers got up to help, according to a complaint filed in federal court, the ABC reported. Sein then allegedly attempted to bite the flight attendant in his effort to move towards the nearby galley service door, the complaint said. He then managed to open the door and jump down to the tarmac below, it said.
While he did not speak English, a criminal complaint said he understood the flight crew’s instructions before he exited the flight. Two employees working on the tarmac stopped Sein from running onto a nearby active taxiway. He was then taken to the terminal and transported to a medical facility. The plane returned to the gate where passengers exited to be rescreened. The plane, operated by PSA Airlines, an American regional airline, departed Charlotte at 11:31 am. It had been scheduled to leave at 9:40 am, according to American Airlines. Sein is facing federal charge of interference with flight crew members and attendants.