Manchester Arena attack: 22 dead and 59 hurt

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details 23.05.17
Publication Date 23/05/2017
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Twenty-two people, including children, were killed and 59 injured in a suspected suicide attack at Manchester Arena at the end of a pop concert on the 22 May 2017. Greater Manchester Police reported that the lone male attacker Salman Abedi, who died in the blast, was carrying an improvised explosive device which he detonated.

Subsequently, Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, although the veracity of this claim could not initially be proved.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May chaired two meetings of the government's emergency Cabinet Office Briefing Room A (COBRa / COBR) committee on the 23 May 2017.

After the second COBR meeting it was announced that as a result of a recommendation from the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) the UK would raise the terror threat level to 'critical' - the highest possible level - meaning that a further attack 'may be imminent'. This would permit the greater use of armed military personnel in support of armed police officers.

During the succeeding days police and the security services carried out substantial investigations into the background and movements of Salman Abedi, including recent visits outside the UK to Libya. In particular, the authorities were keen to see if he was part of a wider and coordinated terrorist network. By the 27 May 2017 police had arrested eleven suspects as part of their continuing investigations.

UK officials working on the investigations liaised intensively with European police forces in a number of countries including Belgiu,, France and Germany and issued requests to Europol, Interpol and American officials in relation to Libya.

JTAC took the decision on the 27 May 2017 to reduce the threat level from critical to severe.

Political parties suspended campaigning for the 8 June 2017 general election for a number of days.

European and international leaders condemned the attack.

This incident followed an earlier terrorist attack in Westminster, London on the 22 March 2017.

The death toll made it the worst event of its kind in the United Kingdom since the 7 July 2005 bombing, which hit London’s transport network, killing 52 people.

UK authorities made extensive use of European information systems in the post attack investigations. Several pointed out the importance of continued access to these databases and line of communication after the UK had left the EU. For more information on this issue click here.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-40010124
Related Links
UK: GOV.UK: Home Office: News, 23.05.17: Home Secretary’s statement on the Manchester attack https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-secretarys-statement-on-the-manchester-attack
The Guardian, 23.05.17: At least 22 dead, 50 injured, in suicide bomb attack at Manchester Arena https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/may/22/manchester-arena-police-explosion-ariana-grande-concert-england
The Guardian: Tag: Manchester Arena Explosion https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/manchester-arena-explosion
Deutsche Welle, 23.05.17: British politicians suspend election campaign after Manchester attack http://p.dw.com/p/2dPZD
European Commission: Statement, STATEMENT/17/1434 (23.05.17): Statement by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker following the attacks in Manchester http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-17-1434_en.htm
EurActiv: Tag: Manchester Attack http://www.euractiv.com/topics/manchester-attack/
Politico: Tag: Manchester Attack http://www.politico.eu/tag/manchester-attack/
UK: GOV.UK: Policies: Counter-terrorism https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/counter-terrorism
EU: EEAS: Press Release, 23.05.17: Mogherini offers condolences for Manchester attack and says fear will not prevail https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/26705/mogherini-offers-condolences-manchester-attack-and-says-fear-will-not-prevail_en
Council of Europe: News, 23.05.17: Terrorist attack in Manchester http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/terrorist-attack-in-manchest-1
UK: GOV.UK: Prime Minister's Office: Speech, 23.05.17: PM statement following terrorist attack in Manchester: 23 May 2017 https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-following-terrorist-attack-in-manchester-23-may-2017
The Guardian, 24.05.17: Paris mayor delivers message of solidarity after Manchester attack https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/may/24/paris-mayor-delivers-message-of-solidarity-after-manchester-attack
The Guardian, 24.05.17: UK threat level is raised to critical after Manchester bombing https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/24/the-snap-uk-threat-level-critical-manchester-bombing
UK: GOV.UK: Prime Minister's Office: Speech, 23.05.17: PM statement on the terror threat level being raised to critical: 23 May 2017 https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-following-second-cobr-meeting-on-manchester-attack-23-may-2017
The Conversation: Tag: Manchester Attack https://theconversation.com/uk/topics/manchester-attack-38954
ESO: Key source: Terrorism in Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/terrorism-in-europe/
Euro|Topics: Debates, May 2017: Attack disrupts British election campaign http://www.eurotopics.net/en/179784/attack-disrupts-british-election-campaign
UK: GOV.UK: National Counter Terrorism Security Office: News, 27.05.17: UK terror threat reduced to 'Severe' https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-threat-level-reduced-to-severe
The Guardian, 28.05.17: The race to find the Manchester terrorist network https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/may/28/race-to-find-manchester-terrorist-network

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