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Bombing arrest: Police swoop on Ariana Grande concert blast suspect as IS claims responsibility

THE man who carried out the Manchester attack was wearing an improvised explosive device as he carried out his apparent suicide mission.

Charis Chang, Matt Young, Nick Bond, Olivia Lambert and Emma Reynolds
12 min read
May 24, 2017 - 1:45AM
Police and other emergency services are seen near the Manchester Arena after reports of an explosion. Picture: Joel Goodman/LNP
Police and other emergency services are seen near the Manchester Arena after reports of an explosion. Picture: Joel Goodman/LNP

WARNING: Graphic

BRITISH authorities have confirmed the man involved in the Manchester attack died inside the Manchester Arena and was wearing an improvised explosive device as he carried out his apparent suicide mission.

The man has since been named as Salman Abedi, Press Association and US officials have said.

Another 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the bomb attack, which killed 22 people, including children, and wounded 59 more after a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande.

UK police executed warrants in the Manchester suburbs of Whalley Range and Fallowfield, where a controlled explosion took place, as part of the investigation into Monday night’s horrific attack at the Manchester Arena.

Local residents said a “group of people” were taken away by police after the explosion, according to the BBC.

The initial arrest was announced just moments after Prime Minister Theresa May denounced the “appalling sickening cowardice” of the lone suicide bomber, who detonated a homemade device in the foyer of the arena as thousands of young people were leaving the concert.

US security sources said the bomber had travelled to the venue on public transport.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.

“One of the soldiers of the Caliphate was able to place an explosive device within a gathering of the Crusaders in the city of Manchester,” the statement said.

Among the victims was an eight-year-old girl.

Declaring that police and security services would be given whatever resources were needed to track down any accomplices of the attacker, Ms May vowed: “The terrorists will never win and our values, our country and our way of life will always prevail.”

Greater Manchester Police issued a statement confirming the arrest.

On Tuesday morning, scores of people ran from Manchester’s Arndale shopping centre, witnesses say, after hearing a large bang.

The centre was evacuated by police and a man was arrested, but as the tweet below states, that arrest was not in relation to the concert bombing, the BBC and Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, Ms May said police and security services knew the identity of the suspected suicide bomber.

May, speaking outside her 10 Downing Street official residence, said the authorities were not ready to announce the identity of the attacker. She also said the attacker had carried out the attack alone but it was not yet clear if others had helped in the preparation.

The suicide bomber deliberately chose the place where he could cause “maximum carnage” when he detonated a bomb at a pop concert in Manchester, she said.

Ms May said “many” children and young people were among the 22 dead and 59 injured in the attack.

After chairing a meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency committee, Ms May condemned the “cowardice” of the attacker and hailed those who rushed to help, who had shown “the spirit of Britain ... a spirit that through years of conflict and terrorism has never been broken and will never be broken”.

“The terrorists will never win and our values, our country and our way of life will always prevail,” she said.

Britain’s domestic counterintelligence agency, the MI5, has issued a rare statement confirming it is helping police investigate the attack.

“Everyone at MI5 is revolted by the disgusting terrorist attack in Manchester last night. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, the injured and everyone affected by it,” MI5 director-general Andrew Parker said.

“Our teams have been working with the police through the night to assist the investigation. We remain relentlessly focused, in numerous current operations, on doing all we can to combat the scourge of terrorism and keep the country safe.”

Queen Elizabeth II has sent her sympathy to the victims of Monday’s terrorist attack in Manchester, condemning an “act of barbarity”.

“I know I speak for everyone in expressing my deepest sympathy to all who have been affected by this dreadful event and especially to the families and friends of those who have died or were injured,” the Queen said in a statement.

“I want to thank all the members of 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.”

Earlier, the United Kingdom woke to the devastating news about the terrifying, tragic incident in on Monday night.

The death toll rose from 19 to 22 as police confirmed young children were among the victims.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said in a press conference the attack was conducted by one man, and authorities were working on determining whether the attacker was “acting alone or as part of a network”.

“The attacker, I can confirm, died at the arena. We believe the attacker was carrying an improvised explosive device, which he detonated, causing this atrocity,” Constable Hopkins said.

“It’s a fast moving investigation, we’re saying it was an improvised explosive device.”

A BBC reporter said one witness saw bolts on the ground, while a US law enforcement source told CBS that two explosions inside the arena contained nails.

According to the Manchester Evening News, 19 of the victims died inside the arena, while three victims died in hospital.

Ms May said many victims were in hospital with life-threatening injuries, meaning the death toll could still rise.

“We now know that a single terrorist detonated his improvised explosive device near one of the exits of the venue, deliberately choosing the time and place to cause maximum carnage and to kill and injure indiscriminately,” she told media.

“The explosion coincided with the closure of a pop concert that was attended by young families and children.

“All acts of terrorism are cowardly attacks on innocent people. But this attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice.”

Ms May said this was not the first attack Manchester had suffered, but it was the worst.

“We struggle to comprehend the warped and twisted mind that sees a room packed with young children not as a scene to cherish, but as an opportunity for carnage,” she said.

The Prime Minister confirmed the threat level remained at severe, meaning a terrorist attack was still highly likely.

Speaking to BBC Radio in Manchester, a woman identified only as Emma described in graphic detail the gory and terrifying scene inside the concert stadium. She said there were “body parts everywhere”.

“It was definitely a bomb the whole building shook. Body parts were everywhere, a torso, an ear. It was the worst thing I have ever seen. Bodies were everywhere,” she said.

“I can’t get the picture of those bodies out of my head.”

Chief Constable Hopkins said police were working closely with the national counter-terrorism policing network and UK intelligence partners.

“This is clearly a very concerning time for everyone,” he said.

“This will be a fast moving investigation, with significant resources deployed.”

Police said they were called to the scene just before 10.35pm on Monday (7.35am AEST Tuesday) and were responding to reports of an explosion at the arena, which can hold 21,000 people.

It comes as the mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, described the attack as an “evil act”.

Mr Burnham, who was a minister during the London terror attacks, which killed 52 people, said:

“I remember how London felt on that day, I remember it vividly … Manchester will pull together … that’s what we are, that’s what we do. They won’t win.

“This city has dealt with difficult things in the past and we will do so now.”

EYEWITNESSES GIVE TERRIFYING ACCOUNT OF BOMB BLAST

Horrifying witness accounts are starting to emerge, including reports of the “walking wounded” after an explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in the UK left 22 people dead and injured about 59 others.

Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene that began after the suspected nail bomb tore through the stadium, with nuts, bolts and nails reportedly cutting through the crowd.

Video shows scared young people trying desperately to escape the 21,000 capacity stadium after the explosion rang out.

Police say the incident at Manchester Arena in northwest England was being treated as a terrorist attack.

The attack, by a suspected suicide bomber, left terrified concert goers scrambling to safety as others - some injured and covered in blood - were helped from the stadium.

Despite authorities not giving a clear indication of what exactly was used in the attack, witnesses and fans have reported wounds consistent with a pressure-cooker bomb. So gruesome was the aftermath, body parts were reportedly scattered around the scene.

It’s feared many of the victims were young girls who had attended the popular pop star’s concert.

Hours after the incident Grande tweeted an emotional message: “Broken. from the bottom of my heart, I am so, so sorry. I don’t have the words”.

TMZ is reporting Grande is “inconsolable” and “in hysterics” after learning of the deaths, and has indefinitely suspended her world tour.

AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER RESPONDS

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australia’s heartfelt sympathy and resolute solidarity was with the people of the United Kingdom.

“This attack is especially vile, especially criminal, especially horrific because it appears to have been deliberately directed at teenagers,” Mr Turnbull said.

“This is an attack on innocence. Surely there is no crime more reprehensible than the murder of children. This is a direct and brutal attack on young people everywhere, on freedom everywhere.”

Mr Turnbull said the Australian High Commission was making inquiries to determine if any Australians were caught up in the attack.

He said the federal government also continued to work with other state and overseas authorities to develop its national strategy for protecting public places.

“We have seen too many crimes perpetrated by acts of violence and terrorism in places of mass gathering, not to realise that we need to do more to keep our public places safe,” Mr Turnbull said. “It is a very, very high priority.”

It’s feared many of the victims are young girls. Picture: Joel Goodman/LNP
It’s feared many of the victims are young girls. Picture: Joel Goodman/LNP
It’s feared many young people were injured in the attack. Picture: Joel Goodman/LNP
It’s feared many young people were injured in the attack. Picture: Joel Goodman/LNP
Police and other emergency services are seen near the Manchester Arena after reports of an explosion. Photo: Joel Goodman/LNP
Police and other emergency services are seen near the Manchester Arena after reports of an explosion. Photo: Joel Goodman/LNP

FAMILIES IN ANXIOUS WAIT TO FIND LOVED ONES

Anxious parents have described scenes of panic and flying shrapnel as they waited to pick up their children.

Panicked families have also taken to social media to try and find their loved-ones who had attended the concert. Meanwhile British locals and hotels have opened up their doors to concertgoers fleeing the attack, using the hashtag #RoomforManchester.

Gary Walker, from the nearby city of Leeds, has told the BBC he was injured by shrapnel as the explosion went off a few metres away while he and his wife waited for their daughters to emerge from the concert.

“We heard the last song go and then suddenly there was a massive flash and then a bang and smoke. I felt a pain in my foot and my leg,” Walker said. “I turned around to my wife, who was standing at the side of me, and she said, ‘I need to lay down.’ She’s got a stomach wound and possible a broken leg,” he said.

“I’ve got a bit of a hole in my foot where I’ve got a bit of shrapnel. I was surprised I got away so lightly.”

Walker said he saw metal nuts that he believed could have come from an explosive device.

Tables at the venue were being used as makeshift stretchers for the injured, he said.

IS ISLAMIC STATE INVOLVED?

Islamic State have not yet officially claimed responsibility for the attack but American based terrorism analyst and data collector Michael S Smith II noted Islamic State-linked Telegram channels had been celebrating the Manchester attack.

The suspected attack comes four years to the day that British Army soldier Lee Rigby was rammed with a car and brutally hacked to death in London, and just two months after the latest attack carried out by Khalid Masood.

If Manchester explosion is a terrorist attack, it will be the most deadly since the 2005 London bombings that targeted underground trains and a bus, killing 52 people.

British Prime Minister Teresa May said her thoughts were with the victims and families.

“We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack,” May said.

Police carry out girl on makeshift stretcher following concert explosion
The layout of Manchester Arena.
The layout of Manchester Arena.

HOW THE ATTACK UNFOLDED

Manchester Transport Police said in a statement there were reports of an explosion “within the foyer area of the stadium”.

But Manchester Arena tweeted saying the incident “took place outside the venue in a public space”.

Police also conducted a controlled explosion at the nearby Cathedral gardens but the suspicious item turned out to be “abandoned clothing”.

Witnesses on social media have reported hearing a “massive bang” minutes after Grande finished her set, sending screaming crowds rushing out of venue.

According to Sky News Home Affairs Correspondent Mark White, one witness said they were in the ticket hall area of the arena when the explosion “shot them up into the air a number of feet”.

“That person then said that they saw many injured in that area. British Transport Police say they’re responding to reports of an explosion in the main foyer,” White said.

Robert Tempkin, 22, told the BBC: “Everyone was screaming and running, there were coats and people’s phones on the floor. People just dropped everything.”

Manchester Victoria station was evacuated after the explosion at the arena adjacent.
Manchester Victoria station was evacuated after the explosion at the arena adjacent.
Concertgoers were injured after reports of an explosion. Photo credit: Joel Goodman/LNP
Concertgoers were injured after reports of an explosion. Photo credit: Joel Goodman/LNP

One Twitter user reported seeing “loads of kids and little girls” lying on the floor of a corridor.

Staff at the Manchester Royal Infirmary have told local media “small children” were among the injured. Ambulances could be seen speeding into the children’s emergency department.

Karen Ford, who was at the concert with her daughter, told BBC it was chaos.

“The problem was a lot of children were there without parents. There was no one to calm them down so everybody was just screaming and crying and pushing,” she said.

“There wasn’t any smoke, there wasn’t a flash, it literally was just a huge sound.

“My husband heard a second one outside.

“As we came out of the stairwell there wasn’t a steward to be seen ... it was just chaos.”

But another woman Erin McDougle, 20, from Newcastle told The Guardian in the UK, “there was a lot of smoke”.

“People started running out. When we got outside the arena there were dozens of police vans and quite a few ambulances.”

Concertgoers help those injured out of the arena. Picture: Joel Goodman/LNP
Concertgoers help those injured out of the arena. Picture: Joel Goodman/LNP
Members of the public receive treatment from emergency service staff at Victoria Railway Station close to the Manchester Arena. Picture: Dave Thompson/Getty Images
Members of the public receive treatment from emergency service staff at Victoria Railway Station close to the Manchester Arena. Picture: Dave Thompson/Getty Images

Concertgoer and resident of Bury in Greater Manchester, Sibion Joyce, 22, told news.com.au she thought there had been two explosions.

“There was an explosion heard as we were leaving the arena and then another one when we got outside,” she said.

“Everyone went still at first and then the panic kicked in and people started running and screaming to get out of the arena, there were lots of young people.

“I was trying to get home from Manchester for two hours, there is a three-mile radius cordoned off.”

One young man said Grande had just gone behind the curtain when there was a massive bang and “a big cloud of smoke”.

It’s believed a bomb disposal unit and police sniffer dogs are on the scene, and the nearby Manchester Victoria train station has been evacuated.

There was early speculation the blast may have been a balloon popping but witnesses said the noise was too loud.

“It was way too loud and obviously with Manchester police saying that people have died now and people are injured on the way to hospital, then obviously it confirms it wasn’t a balloon,” Chris told Today.

Concertgoer Harry Johnson said an explosion happened just after the show finished.

“People were starting to make their way out of the arena, there was then an explosion, a moment of silence and people started shouting ‘get down’ and running and screaming,” he told Today.

“It was just a really, really, loud bang, it was terrifying.

“There was screaming, running, people getting down, pushing, there were guards shouting to get out, I’ve heard reports of people shouting there was a man with a gun, but I’m not sure if that’s true or not.”

Another concertgoer Lily also described the blast as “extremely loud”.

“People were just telling us to either get down, there was so much panic and confusion, that we didn’t know what to do at the time,” she said.

“The concert had just finished. And all the lights had been turned back on. People were gradually starting to make their way out and then the explosion was heard.

“I didn’t see anything. But I’ve heard people saying that they saw smoke and a few people claiming that they saw explosions. But I can’t confirm that.”

Witnesses have reported seeing emergency services swarming at the scene as video footage shows crowds rushing from the scene.

One Twitter user said: “Everyone screamed and ran out I’ve never been so scared in my life.”

— With wires

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/tours/thousands-of-concertgoers-flee-manchester-arena-in-terror-after-loud-bangs-heard-at-ariana-grande-gig/news-story/6d44d0f690fc6b70884239fd142eb7aa