Massacre at last night's concert at Manchester Arena, where 23-year-old American pop star Ariana Grande had just finished singing. A very strong explosion it was notified at 22 pm in the foyer, not far from the ticket offices of the arena (one of the largest in Europe: it can hold 30 people). The provisional budget speaks of 22 dead and over 50 wounded and scenes of indescribable panic.
Manchester Police Chief Ian Hopkins confirmed that it was a terrorist attack by a kamikaze. “You acted alone – explained the police chief-. We believe he was in possession of an improvised device, which he detonated, causing this atrocity. It remains to be seen whether he had accomplices or was part of a network ”. The man's remains were identified among those of his young victims. Even very young: there are also three children.
The premier Theresa May he immediately spoke of a "horrendous act of terrorism" and suspended the electoral campaign.
Images recorded by eyewitnesses showed scenes of terror, with screams followed by a general stampede. While the police rushed in force and so did the emergency vehicles. Minutes after the initial reports, Greater Manchester Police issued an initial message, urging people to stay away from the area.
Meanwhile, the Victoria underground station, the closest to the arena, was closed, with the interruption of the transport service. Several people returning from the concert said they saw smoke and smelled an acrid smell of explosives.
Bomb squads arrived quickly to perform at least a couple of controlled detonations of suspicious items. The investigation, according to the BBC, was entrusted to the North West Counter Terrorism Unit. But reinforcements ofScotland Yard Counter Terrorism they were sent from London already in the night.
“Destroyed. From the bottom of my heart, I'm so sorry. I'm speechless,” wrote pop star Ariana Grande on Twitter.
broken.
from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words.- Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) 23 May 2017
