(Modified from CNN) Monday’s attack outside an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena killed at least 22 people, including children, and was carried out by a lone suspect carrying a bomb, Manchester Police said.
“The attacker, I can confirm, died at the arena. We believe the attacker was carrying an improvised explosive device, which he detonated, causing this atrocity,” said Chief Constable Ian Hopkins.
While police believe the suspect was acting alone, investigations are ongoing to establish if he was part of a network.![]()
As many as 400 police were deployed overnight, Hopkins said early Tuesday. He added that residents should expect to see more armed officers on the streets.
If confirmed as a terror incident, it would be the deadliest attack on British soil since the 2005 London bombings, which killed 52 people.
ISIS has published a claim of responsibility for the bombing.
A statement posted on the terror group’s Telegram channel said that a “soldier of the caliphate” was able to “plant explosive devices” at the Manchester Arena, according to a US counter-terrorism source.
The claim does not mention a name and does not include a photo or provide any additional details on the attacker or the attack.
Following the attack, Ariana Grande posted “broken. from the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don’t have words.”
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