Sickening & callous
May condemns attack and raises threat level to critical
THE “sickening and cowardly” Manchester Arena suicide bomb massacre was condemned around the world after it claimed innocent victims as young as eight.
Theresa May said defenceless children were deliberately targeted in the “coldly calculated” terrorist attack in which bomber Salman Abedi, 22, killed 21 people.
Another 59 were injured, including 12 children, as he detonated the bomb packed with bolts, nuts and screws in the foyer as thousands of fans left minutes after the concert ended.
The Prime Minister said troops could be deployed to support armed police after the UK’s terror threat level was raised from severe to critical, indicating a new attack is imminent.
Monday night’s terror attack, claimed by Islamic State, was the UK’s worst since the 7/7 London bombings in 2005 that claimed 52 lives.
The Muslim Council of Britain last night condemned the “horrific” and “criminal” attack.
JUSTICE
Leader Harun Khan said: “May the perpetrators face the full weight of justice both in this life and the next.”
The PM visited Manchester and chaired two emergency COBRA meetings yesterday as the full horror of the attack emerged.
She said: “This attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice, deliberately targeting innocent, defenceless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives.
“We struggle to comprehend the warped and twisted mind that sees a room packed with young children... as an opportunity for carnage.”
The “callous” attack was “among the worst terrorism we have experienced in the United Kingdom”, Mrs May added.
Security services were last night probing links between an IS recruiter and bomber Abedi, born in Manchester to Libyan refugees who fled the Gaddafi regime.
A 23-year-old man was arrested in the south of the city by police investigating the attack.
It is understood police have recovered the bomb’s “trigger”, which was contained in a backpack stuffed with explosive, with shrapnel stashed at the bottom in a plastic container.
A police source said: “People were peppered with metal shrapnel – it caused appalling injuries.” Sixty ambulances took the injured to eight hospitals around the city. Some suffered shrapnel wounds, others had bones broken in the rush to escape the carnage. Many of the injuries were in the lower leg, suggesting he device was on the ground when it detonated.
Parents arriving to collect kids from the Ariana Grande concert saw metal bolts scythe through crowds of youngsters, many carrying pink balloons.
Witnesses described a wave of heat, glass and metal nuts and bolts on the floor, with shoes and phones scattered as thousands fled. Victims were seen on the blood-streaked floor, and some were carried from the scene on barriers used as makeshift stretchers.
As well as the dead and injured there were 60 walking wounded.
Greater Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “This has been the most horrific incident we have had to face in Greater Manchester and one that we all hoped we would never see.”
Police appealed for any phone or dashcam footage to help their probe.
Flags round the world were lowered
to half-mast in honour of those killed and injured. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh held a minute’s silence at a palace garden party.
The Queen said: “The whole nation has been shocked by the death and injury in Manchester of so many people, adults and children, who had just been enjoying a concert. I know I speak for everyone in expressing my deepest sympathy to all who have been affected by this dreadful event...
“I thank the emergency services, who have responded with such professionalism and care. And I would like to express my admiration for the way the people of Manchester have responded, with humanity and compassion, to this act of barbarity.”
The Pope sent God’s blessings to Britain. US President Donald Trump sent his “deepest condolences” to victims and called the terrorists “evil losers”. Jeremy Corbyn in Manchester condemned the “unspeakable act of horror”. He praised emergency services and the “big-hearted” city.
General election campaigns were suspended yesterday and will remain so today. Mrs May and Mr Corbyn were understood to have remained in contact about the attack, the worst ever during a general election period.
A vigil was held in Albert Square in the heart of Manchester last night.
Ariana Grande, who has many young fans due to her popular US TV show, said she had been left “broken”.
Her managers SB Projects, said: “We mourn the lives of children and loved ones taken by this cowardly act.”
May they face the full weight of justice in this life and the next HARUN KHAN MUSLIM COUNCIL OF BRITAIN