A fatal ISIS bombing killed 22 people and injured 120, many of them children, during an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on Monday, May 22.
What was described as a loud boom and a bright flash is what started the horrific chain of events at Grande’s concert. The bomb was detonated moments after Grande finished her performance and exited the stage. Crowds scrambled to escape the hysteria of the surprise attack in fear for their lives.
Most injuries included deep cuts from the shrapnel and flying debris. However, 20 people remain in critical condition, facing probable amputations and organ damage.
Many of those killed were children who were excited to see their favorite singer. Among the lives lost is eight-year-old Saffie-Rose Roussos, who passed away from her injuries at the hospital. People around the world mourned and held vigils for the deaths in Manchester.
On the night of the attack, everyone was terrified and confused. Many concert attendees went missing, and photos of them were shared online with the tag #MissingInManchester in hopes of finding them. Some were found, but quite a few remain missing.
Freshman Julia Kelly says, “What happened in Manchester is something that shouldn’t happen. Concerts should be a safe, fun place for people, and when events like this happen, it makes it difficult for people to go to one and have fun and feel like they’re not in serious danger.”
Absolute mayhem took over Manchester following the attack. Roads were closed and many were stranded, lost, and unable to return home. Police, firefighters, paramedics, and kind volunteers all worked to help as much as they possibly could. Uber drivers offered free rides, Manchester residents opened their homes, and hotels gave free lodging to those escaping the concert.
No one knew what to think until the attack was classified as terrorist activity. ISIS claimed responsibility and soon, the dead body of suicide bomber Salman Abedi was found among the wreckage. Eight people were in custody and two arrested in connection to the bombing as well.
Freshman Riya Patel says, “It was cruel of ISIS for attacking Manchester. No one deserves to suffer like that at a concert.”
All of the media attention has lead to the leak of classified photos from the New York Times. The affected families were distressed, and the Manchester Police currently refuses to share more information with the U.S.
Peaceful assemblies in Manchester were held to commemorate the lives lost, injured, and missing from the bombing. At one of the meetings in Manchester, crowds united to sing “Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis after the minute of silence for the lives who passed. The overall message is to spread love and peace instead of revenge and hate in this time of hurt.
Many people around the world are collecting funds to help those affected by the bombing. Grande performed a benefit concert on Sunday, June 4 in Manchester, England. Stars such as Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Coldplay, Usher, and Niall Horan joined Grande at the concert. Funds earned from the One Love Manchester event were donated to help the recovery of all those who were affected.
How do you feel about the Manchester bombings? What actions should be taken to prevent future tragedies like this in the future?