Remembering the Manchester terror attack- Monday 22nd May 2017

So what happened?

Police say suspected attacker 22-year-old Salman Abedi detonated a home-made bomb in the foyer of Manchester Arena as crowds were leaving an Ariana Grande concert on Monday evening.

On Monday evening Manchester Arena was packed with around 20,000 Ariana Grande fans- including many children and young people. The concert was hotly anticipated by her fans, and the concert was amazing.

Confusion quickly became panic as people rushed for the exits. As the concert finished, and people began making their way home a loud explosion was heard from just outside the Arena. Confusion quickly became panic as people rushed for the exits.

22 people were killed and 64 people were injured. Eye witnesses were certain the explosion was not an accident. People described a flash of fire immediately after the explosion. 22 people were killed and 64 people were injured. More than 240 emergency calls were made; 60 ambulances and 400 police officers attended.

14 of the victims have been named so far. Clockwise, from top left: Georgina Callander, Saffie Roussos, Olivia Campbell, Martyn Hett, Michelle Kiss, Sorrell Leczkowski, Alison Howe, Lisa Lees, Jane Tweddle-Taylor, Nell Jones, Marcin Klis, Angelika Klis, Kelly Brewster and John Atkinson

Who was the attacker? Salman Abedi, 22, has been named by Manchester Police as the suspected suicide bomber. Abedi was born in Manchester in 1994. He attended school, college and university in Manchester. So far 7 people have been arrested by police, including some of Abedi’s family. Police are tying to work out why Abedi chose to kill himself along with 22 innocent people. It is thought that he was radicalised by an extremist terror group. Experts believe that Abedi did not make the bomb himself which is why security across the UK is on the highest alert. What does radicalised mean? Brainwashed into accepting totally a belief about something.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd says 984 soldiers have been deployed as part of Operation Temperer - the government plan to put soldiers on the streets. As the security threat has been raised to critical, she has announced that 3,800 extra troops will be available to patrol UK streets.

Manchester has promised that life will carry on, and terrorism, hate and violence will not win. Manchester Marathon will happen at the weekend. The General Election campaign will resume.

The people of Manchester helped each other in extraordinary ways… Many taxi drivers drove stranded people home for free. People donated food and water to medical staff at local hospitals.

“love for all, hatred for none” Why is the message “love for all, hatred for none” an important message after such a tragedy?