Manchester terror attack: Police arrest 18th person

[Anthea]

Deaths confirmed after Manchester Arena blast reports

A number of people have died and others have been injured following a reported explosion at Manchester Arena.

Witnesses reported hearing a "huge bang" following a pop concert by US singer Ariana Grande.

Greater Manchester Police said there are a "number of confirmed fatalities and others injured".

Witnesses said they heard two loud bangs, reported to be near the ticket office of the arena. The cause of the reported explosion is unknown.

Manchester Victoria station, which is close to the concert venue, has been closed and all trains cancelled.

Greater Manchester Police tweeted to urge people to stay away from the area.
'Screaming and running'

A number of eyewitnesses have described the confusion in the aftermath.

Robert Tempkin, 22, from Middlesbrough, said: "Everyone was screaming and running, there were coats and people's phones on the floor. People just dropped everything.

"Some people were screaming they'd seen blood but other people were saying it was balloons busting or a speaker had been popped.

"There were lots of ambulances. I saw somebody being treated. I couldn't tell what had happened to him."

Josh Elliott, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, said he was shocked by news of the fatalities.

"A bang went off and everyone stopped and screamed... we basically hit the deck," he said

"It was bedlam… it was horrific.

"We got up when we thought it was safe and got out as quickly as possible.

"People were just crying and in tears... police cars were everywhere.

"We just wanted to get out as quickly as possible because we didn't know what was going on."

Michelle Sullivan, from Huddersfield, was attending the concert with her daughters, aged 12 and 15.

"It was really scary," she said. "Just as the lights have gone down we heard a really loud explosion... Everybody screamed.

"When we got out they just said 'keep on running, keep on running'."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-ma ... r-40007886

[Anthea]

'Suicide bomber' strikes at Manchester Arena: Nineteen people are killed and 50 injured in terrorist attack as 'nail bomb near the exit' explodes, ripping into teens leaving packed Ariana Grande gig

Nineteen people killed after explosions rang out at the end of an Ariana Grande gig in Manchester Arena
Video footage showed thousands fleeing in tears from the venue, many covered in blood, when gig ended
Armed officers surrounded venue and bloodied concertgoers pictured being helped by emergency services
Horrifying footage showed petrified children leaping over chairs and barriers as they tried to escape
At 3am chief constable of Greater Manchester Police said they were treating it as a 'terrorist incident'
An hour later, Grande tweeted: 'Broken. From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don't have words'
Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn suspended election campaigning and said thoughts were with the victims

At least 19 people are dead and 59 more injured after a suspected suicide bomber targeted children leaving a packed pop concert at Manchester Arena last night in Britain's worst terror attack since 7/7.

Witnesses told of nuts and bolts tearing into young gig-goers when the blast was detonated in the foyer area between the arena and the next-door Victoria station just after the Ariana Grande performance ended.

One image captured bodies of the dead and injured lying in an area between the arena and the next-door Victoria station, which had been packed with people leaving the venue as the gig wound down.

As the explosion tore through the lobby, terrified youngsters stampeded for the sold-out 21,000-seater stadium's exits in horrifying scenes caught on mobile phone cameras. Witnesses described the carnage as being 'like a war zone'.

Armed police, the bomb squad and scores of emergency vehicles descended on the venue in the aftermath of the explosion, which took place at 10:35pm last night.

Shortly after 1.30am, a controlled explosion was carried out in the Cathedral Gardens near Manchester Arena, but police later confirmed the suspicious package had been an item of clothing.

Officials in the US said their UK counterparts had identified a possible male suicide bomber as being responsible for the atrocity. In a 3am press conference, Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins confirmed his force were treating it as a terror attack.

An hour later, US star Grande, who escaped unharmed, tweeted she was 'broken'.

'From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don't have words,' she added. Her manager Scooter Braun said: 'We mourn for the children.'

Witness Abby Mullen from Airdrie, who was at the event, described the carnage.

'As we were leaving a bomb or explosion went off centimetres in front of me,' she said. 'People's skin and faeces where everywhere including in my hair and on my bag.

'I'm still finding bits of God knows what in my hair. You never ever expect these things to happen to you but this proves it can happen to anybody.

'That sound, the blood and those who were running around clueless with body parts and bits of skin missing will not be leaving my mind any time soon or the minds of those involved.'

Prior to the incident yesterday evening, an unverified Twitter account posted cryptic Tweets showing the ISIS black flag alongside the hashtags #IslamicState and #Manchesterarena. It was unclear early today what if any significance these Tweets carried.

But the Tweeter also said: 'You forget our threat? This is the just terror'. His account was deleted shortly afterwards.

Link to Full Article - Photos:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... Arena.html

[Anthea]

Salman Abedi has been named by police as the suspected suicide bomber who killed 22 people and injured 59 at Manchester Arena on Monday night.

The 22-year-old was born in Manchester to parents of Libyan descent, the BBC understands.

Three of his victims have been named - Saffie Rose Roussos, eight, Georgina Callander and John Atkinson, 28.

Greater Manchester Police said the priority was to establish whether Abedi had worked alone or not.

He is thought to have blown himself up in the arena's foyer shortly after 22:30 BST on Monday, as fans were beginning to leave a concert by US singer Ariana Grande.

A vigil for the dead and injured was held in front of the town hall in Manchester's Albert Square on Tuesday evening.

Earlier, Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins passed on "heartfelt sympathies to all the innocent people caught up in last night's despicable act", adding that specially trained officers were supporting families.

Link to Full Article - Photos - Videos:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40020168

[Anthea]

Manchester attack: Police hunt 'network' behind bomber

A fifth man has been arrested in the UK over Monday's bombing at a pop concert at Manchester Arena, as police said they were investigating a "network".

Suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 - including children - and injured 64 outside an Ariana Grande gig.

The UK terror threat level is now at its highest level of "critical", meaning more attacks may be imminent.

In Libya, the bomber's father, Ramadan, and younger brother, Hashem, have been arrested, Reuters is reporting.

Hashem, 20, was reportedly arrested in the capital Tripoli on suspicion of links with so-called Islamic State, according to Reuters.

Older brother, Ismael, was detained in Chorlton, south Manchester, on Tuesday.

Their father was in Tripoli when he was arrested, Reuters has told the BBC.

In Wigan, police said the arrested man had been carrying a package which is now being "assessed".

Eyewitness Connor Britton told the BBC the man had been held by "undercover armed police".

He said workers in his office had been told to stay inside and lock their windows, and that a red package had been "moved to a clear part of the street".

Meanwhile, military personnel are being deployed to protect key sites after the terror threat level was raised.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: "[Monday's attack] was more sophisticated than some of the attacks we've seen before, and it seems likely - possible - that [Abedi] wasn't doing this on his own."

Link to Full Article - Photos -Video:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40032504

[Anthea]

Have police found the bomb factory? 'Suspicious items' are found and locals evacuated in Wigan after day of raids across Britain in hunt for mastermind behind Salman Abedi's jihadi network

'Suspicious items' found in Wigan terror raid

Bomb disposal experts and police rushed to Castlefield Campus school in Hulme this afternoon
A man was later arrested in the same area on suspicion of cannabis possession
Another suspect was arrested in Nuneaton after being tasered by police following a chase
Police are searching a house in Wigan today after arresting a man in the town
GMP's chief constable said that 'very important' items have been recovered
Eight people are in UK custody with a two of bomber's relatives detained in Libya
It follows the bombing at an Ariana Grande that killed 22 and injured over 100

A number of terror suspects have been arrested in dramatic raids as police hunt for the bomb factory where the device used by Manchester terrorist Salman Abedi was made.

Bomb disposal experts were this evening called to an address in Wigan which was raided in connection with the atrocity, and homes surrounding it were evacuated.

Greater Manchester Police said 'potentially suspicious items' were found at the flat, which witnesses say was raided by armed officers at around 1.30am.

Residents described the area, close to Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, as being 'in lockdown' with helicopters overhead. Nurses arriving for their shifts were unable to get into work because the road was blocked.

A man was arrested yesterday afternoon in the town, but it is not known whether the address - 17 miles from the Manchester Arena - is directly linked to him. Witnesses on the scene say a bomb disposal robot was seen on the street, but a controlled explosion was not carried out.

It comes after a series of operations were carried out across the Manchester area today, with a huge controlled explosion in Moss Side shaking neighbouring houses. Teams of armed police also descended on a school in Hulme in Manchester today.

Eight suspects have been arrested in the UK in connection with the terror attack, and the killer's father and brother have been detained in Libya.

Homes in Moss Side and Withington in Manchester are also being searched, while there is still a police presence in the Blackley area of the city, where a woman was arrested at a block of flats last night but later released without charge.

Last night a man was arrested by armed officers in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, where witnesses said he was told: 'Do not move or I will fire.' He is still being questioned by police.

Link to Full Article - Videos - Photos:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... mbing.html

Although it has not been reported in the national media, mainline train stations have very vicious looking armed police in them

[Anthea]

Did Manchester bomber have SECOND device in a suitcase? Police appeal for information on blue luggage Salman Abedi was seen with on the day of his attack and warn people NOT to approach it

Police have issued a CCTV image of the suicide bomber with the hip-high case
Force are warning people to contact them immediately if they see the luggage
Terror unit detective said: 'The public should not approach the case if they see it'
16 arrests have been made in connection with the attack which killed 22 people

Police have warned the public not to approach the blue suitcase that Salman Abedi was seen pulling just hours before he blew himself up and killed 21 innocent people at the Manchester Arena.

Greater Manchester Police have issued a CCTV image of the suicide bomber with the hip-high case in the city centre last Monday.

The force are warning people to contact them immediately if they see the luggage item and not to approach it.





Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson, from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said: 'We believe Abedi was in possession of this case in the days before the attack at Manchester Arena on Monday 22 May.

'I want to stress that this is a different item than the one he used in the attack.

'We have no reason to believe the case and its contents contain anything dangerous, but would ask people to be cautious.'

Mr Jackson added: 'The public should not approach the case if they see it but contact police immediately on 999.'

As well as the CCTV image of Abedi, detectives have released a picture of a replica case, as they continue to piece together the terrorist's movements in the lead-up to the attack.

It is known that the 22-year-old visited the Wilmslow Road area of Manchester and was also seen in Manchester city centre with the wheeled case.

GMP are urging anyone with details about the suitcase to get in touch and let them know.

Link to Full Article - Photos - Video:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... tcase.html

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Police arrest 17th person in connection with Manchester terror attack

Police investigating the Manchester bombing have arrested a 24-year-old man.

Greater Manchester Police said the man was arrested on Friday night in Rusholme on suspicion of offences contrary to the terrorism act.

He is the 17th person to be arrested in connection with the May 22 attack at the Manchester Arena.

Six people have since been released without charge.

Eleven men, aged between 18 and 44, are now in custody on suspicion of terrorism offences in connection with the attack.

The arrest came after officers seized a car which they said could provide a "significant development" in the investigation.

Residents near Devell House in Rusholme were evacuated and the Royal Logistics Corp bomb disposal team was called out on Friday after the white Nissan Micra was discovered.

A 100m cordon was set up in the area near Banff Road, where police say suicide bomber Salman Abedi had visited in the days leading up to the attack.

CCTV images have been released showing Abedi hauling a blue suitcase in the days leading up to the bombing.

US pop star Ariana Grande visited young fans injured in the suicide bombing on Friday night.

The singer shared a picture of herself and a youngster in her hospital bed with her 107 million Instagram followers, captioned simply with a heart.

Other pictures from her visit to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital show her hugging youngsters on the ward, with one father left in tears by the visit.

It comes ahead of Grande's all-star benefit concert on Sunday, less than two weeks after the bombing at her gig in Manchester which killed 22 people and injured dozens more.

Peter Mann, whose daughter Jaden was injured in the attack, posted several photos of Grande and the youngster on Facebook.

He wrote: "This means more to us than all the amazing things people have done this week. when your daughter asks after her 2nd operation is ariana ok?

"So happy she came i could burst! Never seen jaden so happy! even cried again myself."

The singer was also photographed with nurses at the hospital and dozens of other patients including 14-year-old Evie Mills, who was visited by the Queen in the same hospital days after the attack.

Tasha Hough shared two more photos of Jaden, adding: "I think she's a little star struck. No1 deserves this more than her. That smile! And what a lovely girl Ariana Grande is."

Grande arrived back in the UK on Friday morning ahead of the One Love Manchester concert on Sunday.

Musicians including Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Coldplay, Take That and Miley Cyrus will join her for the event, which is raising funds for victims and their families.

The Duke of Cambridge also visited Manchester on Friday and met police officers and volunteers before paying a visit to Manchester Royal Infirmary to meet some of those injured in the attack.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06 ... or-attack/

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Man arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after police swoop on petrol station near Manchester Arena

The Texaco petrol station on Cheetham Hill Road was sealed off with a single car parked in the forecourt - the vehicle was later taken away by police

A man was arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after police swooped on a petrol station on Cheetham Hill Road - 400 metres from the Manchester Arena.

Police say the 20-year-old man is being held on suspicion of offences contrary to the terrorism act - bringing the total number of arrests in connection with the Manchester Arena investigation to 18. Six people have been released without charge and 12 men remain in custody.

The Texaco petrol station on Cheetham Hill Road was sealed off by officers as the suspect was detained shortly after 9pm on Saturday night.

Later that night, officers carried out a raid at a property on Princess Road in Moss Side. The swoop was connected to the garage incident in Cheetham Hill, a GMP spokesman said.

Three GMP vans and 15 officers were seen outside the garage on Saturday night. One witness told the Manchester Evening News that she saw a bus parked diagonally across the road, as police vehicles arrived at the scene.

A single car was later seen parked in the petrol station forecourt, which was cordoned off by police.

Inayat Pirphai, a cashier at the Texaco garage, said: "At 9.15pm I saw this man in a car pull up. Suddenly two unmarked Mercedes police cars came up and eight armed police officers wearing masks got out.

"They had these big guns. They asked the man to get out of his car. They then pushed him to the floor and put handcuffs on him.

"They led him into the corner of the petrol station forecourt and then took him across the road to a police van about twenty minutes later.

"Then they told us to get out of the shop, and the road was closed off as more police arrived. We have been here for some time, but it was frightening. We were allowed back in at about 11pm."

Hours later police confirmed that they had also executed a search warrant at a property in Moss Side, in connection with the attack which killed 22 people at the Ariana Grande concert.

One person said on Facebook: “Just on way home and drove past a house in moss side having its door banged down by police. Just get me home!”

Another person said: “Glad to be home safe after just seeing about 12 police raiding and breaking down a door in moss side and the terrible attack in London.”

A statement from GMP said: "This morning, Sunday 4 June 2017, officers investigating the attack at the Manchester Arena are executing a warrant at a house on Princess Road, Moss Side.

"Late yesterday evening, Saturday 3 June 2017, officers arrested a 20-year-old man on Cheetham Hill Road on suspicion of offences contrary to the terrorism act.

"As it stands 18 people have been arrested in connection with the investigation, of which six people have been released without charge.

"A total of 12 men remain in custody for questioning."

The arrest on Cheetham Hill Road came just an hour before the terror attack began to unfold in London. Six people were killed when a van ploughed into crowds near London Bridge at about 10pm. Three attackers were soon shot dead by police in the Borough Market area.

Theresa May and London Mayor Sadiq Khan will be at a meeting of the government's crisis committee, Cobra, on Sunday morning.

Link to Article - Photos:

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... t-13134659