May 24, 2017

On Monday night, May 22, a terrorist detonated a bomb near Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, killing himself and 22 other people. The bombing, which also injured 64 people, occurred at the close of an Ariana Grande concert as many young people and families were exiting the arena. Ariana Grande is a United States pop singer currently on a concert tour of Europe. The Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mother-and-daughter survivors of a terrorist bombing comfort each other outside Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, early on May 23, 2017. Credit: © Lindsey Parnaby, Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

The terrorist detonated the bomb at about 10:30 p.m. local time in a connecting area between Manchester Arena and Victoria Station, one of the city’s main transportation hubs. Aside from the attack’s immediate casualties—which included many children—the bombing caused chaos and panic among the thousands of people leaving the arena, resulting in additional injuries.

British Prime Minister Theresa May commented on the terrorist act from her Downing Street office in London: “All acts of terrorism are cowardly. But this attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice, deliberately targeting innocent, defenseless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives.”

Manchester police identified the suicide bomber as 22-year-old Salman Abedi, a Manchester native born of Libyan parents. Police also announced several arrests in connection with the attack. British politicians, preparing for June parliamentary elections, suspended campaigning after the attack. The Manchester attack was the deadliest in the United Kingdom since 52 people died in suicide attacks on London’s transport system in July 2005.