US intelligence has not yet verified it was the Islamic State group responsible for the Manchester attack
May 23, 2017
According to the latest The Greater Manchester Police reports, 22 people died and 59 others were injured following Ariana Grande concert in Manchester on Monday, May 22.
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena @CCIanHopkins pic.twitter.com/LDG1wgX2sT
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
NBC News state that the explosion took place in a public area outside of the venue itself. Pop singer Ariana Grande was performing at indoor Manchester Arena with the capacity of 21,000.
The New York Times reports that the involved the use of a nail bomb, according to witnesses. BBC and NBC News also assume it was a terrorist incident, reporting about a possible “backpack bomb”, which is supported by forensic evidence.
@PeteWilliamsNBC: “Increasing confidence” among investigators this was terror attack; forensic evidence points to possible backpack bomb.
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) May 23, 2017
The GM police has confirmed that the attacker died on the spot. Reuters and other sources report that a suicide bomber is suspected in the explosion.
The police are trying to determine if it was a solo terror act. The Associated Press recently published an update that the US officials have not yet verified that the Islamic State group was responsible for the Manchester attack.
BREAKING: Intelligence chief says US has not yet verified that the Islamic State group was responsible for the Manchester attack.
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 23, 2017
AP also claim that 12 children under the age of 16 were among the 59 injured concert goers in Manchester Arena last night. Young victims include a 8-year-old girl Saffie-Rose Roussos, who got separated from her mother and sister during the attack and died from her injuries, informs The Telegraph.
Pope Francis saddened by ‘barbaric’ Manchester attack https://t.co/eBepga8dff pic.twitter.com/ERFYUOEWMX
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) May 23, 2017
You can watch one of the earliest accounts from CNN from the scene soon after the explosion in the video below.
“There was blood everywhere.” A witness describes the scene after reports of explosions at concert in Manchester, UK https://t.co/DJc27Jgj0T pic.twitter.com/9G4chWCIFD
— CNN International (@cnni) May 23, 2017
As for Ariana Grande herself, her representative has confirmed the pop singer is safe: “Ariana is OK. We are further investigating what happened.” (via Entertainment Tonight). Ariana Grande’s manager, Scooter Braun, posted a message for the fans and families who lost their loved ones in the explosion (see below):
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) May 23, 2017
It’s also reported Grande has suspended her world tour following the tragic attack.
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