Funeral held for youngest victim of Manchester attack

Mourners carrying roses paid their last respects on Wednesday to eight-yearold Saffie Rose Roussos, the youngest of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena bomb attack.

Her mother Lisa Roussos, who was badly injured in the attack, attended the funeral with her arm still in a cast at Manchester Cathedral in northwest England. Saffie’s father Andrew was one of the bearers of the wicker casket, which was adorned with roses.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and city police chief Ian Hopkins were also among the mourners in what was the final funeral from the tragedy.

Suicide bomber Salman Abedi, a British Muslim of Libyan origin, blew himself up outside one of the arena exits after a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande, who is popular with teens and pre-teens. Seven of the victims were under 18 years old. Although the attack was claimed by the Islamic State group, police believe Abedi acted largely alone. (AFP)

Funeral attendees, who were requested to bring a rose, arrive for the funeral of Manchester Arena bomb victim SaffieRose Roussos at Manchester Cathedral in Manchester, northwest England. (Inset): Mother, Lisa (left), and brother Alexander look on prior...

Andrew, (right), father of Saffie-Rose Roussos, receives comfort from a member of the clergy prior to her funeral service at Manchester Cathedral in Manchester, northwest England on July 26. (AFP)