Daily Mail

HAVE POLICE FOUND BOMBER’S CAR?

1,000 evacuated as bomb disposal team moves in to remove ‘booby-trap’ vehicle

- By James Tozer

AN area of Manchester was evacuated yesterday as bomb disposal teams were sent to a car linked to suicide bomber Salman Abedi.

More than 1,000 students were led from their accommodat­ion near the city’s university quarter after officers found a white Nissan Micra they described as ‘potentiall­y a significan­t developmen­t in the investigat­ion’.

Amid fears that the vehicle was booby-trapped, they cleared the block of flats where students said one of those held after the bombing, Yahya Werfalli, 22, had lived.

Homes, shops and a pub were also evacuated as the dramatic scenes unfolded in Rusholme, where police have focused their efforts to track the Manchester Arena bomber’s final movements.

Detectives investigat­ing the May 22 outrage believe Abedi, 22, may have acted alone, buying the components for his shrapnel-packed bomb and putting it together in the four days between his return from Libya and the deadly attack.

But they have been conducting door-to-door inquiries in the area in an attempt to learn more about his movements and a large blue suitcase he was seen wheeling around which has yet to be traced.

A cordon was yesterday erected in a 100m radius around Devell House where the Micra was parked, with bomb disposal teams joining forensics officers.

As the car was being examined, officers were seen telling people living nearby but who had not been evacuated to remain indoors. The bomb disposal teams left around 5.45pm and a low-loader entered the area, apparently to remove the Micra for further examinatio­n.

Greater Manchester Police said it had not searched any addresses in or around the cordon.

During yesterday’s incident, families of patients at nearby Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital were evacuated from their accommodat­ion, Ronald McDonald House – although a private visit by Prince William to the hospital itself went ahead as planned.

Earlier, the Duke of Cambridge visited the city’s police headquarte­rs, where he was met by Chief Constable Ian Hopkins before talking to officers involved in the response the outrage. Among the first responders he met was PC Michael Buckley, 47, who tended to the injured while franticall­y searching for his own daughter.

The officer had been waiting for her outside the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena when the bomb exploded.

He was eventually reunited with Stephanie, 15, who suffered concussion and crush injuries, in the early hours of the morning.

Prince William also visited Manchester Cathedral to meet volunteers and workers who helped after the bombing. In a book of condolence, he wrote: ‘Manchester’s strength and togetherne­ss is an example to the world. My thoughts are with all those affected.’

Some of the 1,000 students told to leave the Wilmslow Park apartment block yesterday described how around 30 officers banged on doors and ordered them outside.

One said: ‘They just knocked on our door and said “You need to be evacuated”. They were obviously worried and wanted everyone out as quickly and safely as possible. They were very profession­al.’

Buses were later laid on to ferry the students – some in their pyjamas – to alternativ­e accommoda- tion. Several claimed that Werfalli, understood to be a Manchester Metropolit­an University student, had lived in the building.

He remains in custody along with his brother Mohamed, 20, who is listed on the LinkedIn networking website as a second-year chemical

‘An example to the world’

engineerin­g student at Huddersfie­ld University.

Detective Chief Superinten­dent Russ Jackson, head of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said: ‘This is potentiall­y a significan­t developmen­t.’ Ten men, aged between 18 and 44, remain in custody on suspicion of terrorism offences in connection with the bombing. Six people – including a 15-year-old boy, a 34-year-old woman and four men – have been released without charge. Manchester Metropolit­an University said it would be inappropri­ate to comment on the Werfalli link while the investigat­ion continued.

Meanwhile, Ariana Grande arrived at London Stansted Airport by private jet yester- day ahead of her One Love Manchester benefit concert. The 23-year- old star will be joined at tomorrow evening’s show at by top artists including Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Coldplay, Take That and Miley Cyrus.

 ??  ?? Heightened security: Firearms officers keep a careful eye on the public during Ladies Day
Heightened security: Firearms officers keep a careful eye on the public during Ladies Day
 ??  ?? at Epsom Downs racecourse yesterday
at Epsom Downs racecourse yesterday

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom