UK Officials have upgraded the terror level from severe to critical following the suicide attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester Arena. Originally, it was reported that 19 people died in the blast, but latest reports indicate that 22 persons have died in the bombing, with 59 more injured.
Manchester Police say Salman Abedi, a 22 year old Manchester resident, of Libyan descent, was responsible for the attack. Police say Abedi was known to security officials, but was not considered a high risk. They are currently investigating if he worked alone or was part of a larger network that helped in the bombing attack.
Although Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the bombing, police investigating the attack say they haven’t been able to establish a connect.
The organisers of Ariana Grande’s Dangerous Woman tour have extended their condolences to the victims and their family members. It was reported first that the tour would be cancelled, but later reports say it may be suspended for a while. Officials at London’s O2 Arena, where the concert was to next be held, tweeted:
— The O2 (@TheO2) May 23, 2017
An Ariana Grande fan-run twitter account also tweeted these messages:
If Ariana decides to cancel the rest of this tour that’s her decision.
Stand by it & support her. #DangerousWomanTour— Dangerous Woman Tour (@DWTourUpdates) May 23, 2017
Focus your energy on what’s happening right now! I’m sorry but the remaining tour dates aren’t very important at the moment.
— Dangerous Woman Tour (@DWTourUpdates) May 23, 2017
Meanwhile, all the political parties in UK have suspended their campaigning for the General Elections, which was to be held on 8th June. The incumbent Prime Minister, Theresa May, has raised the terror-response level to critical, which has led to the deployment of armed soldiers on the ground across the country.
