Manchester Massacre sparks raids
World leaders express shock as British-born suicide bomber kills 22 Ariana Grande concertgoers
manchester — Investigators hunted on Tuesday for possible accomplices of the British-born suicide bomber who attacked an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, killing 22 people and sparking a stampede of young concertgoers, some still wearing the American pop star’s trademark kitten ears and holding pink balloons.
Daesh claimed responsibility for the Monday night carnage, but the top American intelligence official said the claim could not be verified. World leaders expressed horror and shock.
The UAE Embassy said all Emiratis living in Manchester are safe.
British police raided two sites in the northern English city, setting off a controlled explosion in one, and arrested a 23-year-old man in a third location there.
Prime Minister Theresa May and police said the bomber died in the attack — something that went unmentioned in the Daesh claim, which also had discrepancies with the events described by officials.
Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins identified the bomber as 22-year-old Salman Abedi. “I can confirm that the man suspected of carrying out last night’s atrocity is 22-year-old Salman Abedi,” Hopkins told reporters, adding that he would not make any further comments about Abedi at this stage. — Agencies
manchester — British police on Tuesday named the suspected attacker behind the Manchester concert bombing that killed 22 people as Salman Abedi, but declined to give any further details.
The 22-year-old “has not yet been formally identified and I wouldn’t wish, therefore, to comment further”, said Chief Constable Ian Hopkins of the Greater Manchester Police force.
“The priority remains to establish whether he was acting alone or as part of a network,” he added. According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, Abedi was born in Manchester to Libyan parents, who fled their country to escape the regime of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
The family has lived in the Fallowfield area of south Manchester for at least 10 years, it said. Police on Tuesday raided an address in the area, carrying out a controlled explosion to gain entry.
The suspected attacker’s father is known by the honorific Abu Ismael in the Libyan community and worked as an odd-job man in Manchester, according to The
Guardian, but is thought to be currently in Tripoli.
“Abu Ismael will be terribly distraught,” one man who knew him told the newspaper.
The Guardian reported that Abedi was known to the police and security services.
“He was such a quiet boy, always very respectful towards me,” one member of Manchester’s Libyan community told the newspaper.
“His brother Ismael is outgoing, but Salman was very quiet. He is such an unlikely person to have done this.”
The newspaper said Abedi’s father is well-known in the community, and worked as an oddjob man, but is thought to be currently in Tripoli.
The Telegraph said Salman was the second youngest of four children, including another son and one daughter.
A 23-year-old man was arrested earlier on Tuesday in connection with the attack, while a house was raided in the Whalley Range area, also in south Manchester.
“We understand that feelings are very raw right now and people are bound to be looking for answers,” Hopkins, the chief constable, added. “However, now, more than ever, it is vital that our diverse communities in Greater Manchester stand together and do not tolerate hate.”
Prime Minister Theresa May called the attack an act of “sickening cowardice” targeting “defenceless children and young people”.
Daesh now being driven from territories in Syria and Iraq by Western-backed armed forces, claimed responsibility for what it called a revenge attack against “Crusaders”, but there appeared to be contradictions in its account of the operation. —
Broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words Ariana Grande
Broken-hearted for the families tonight. Brokenhearted for Ari. Broken-hearted for the state of this world Katy Perry
My thoughts, prayers and tears for all those affected by the Manchester tragedy tonight Taylor Swift
My heart hurts for my sister, Ariana & every family affected by this tragic event in the UK Nicki Minaj
Just played Manchester... crazy... really don’t have words. I’m so sorry. should be a safe place Sabrina Carpenter
Tearing up imagining innocent concert goers losing their lives. Praying for everyone and all Demi Lovato
Theresa May, British Prime Minister We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack. All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected