22 people, including children, were killed last night and about 60 more injured in an explosion at the Manchester Arena in central Manchester. Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that the explosion was a terrorist attack by a lone male suicide bomber. The explosive charge was apparently packed with nuts and bolts. The attack took place in the foyer of the venue at the end of a performance by American singer Ariana Grande as the audience, many of them very young, were leaving.
UK prime minister Theresa May called the incident an "appalling terrorist attack" and convened the government's Cobra emergency committee. May suspended campaigning in the UK parliamentary election.
The Manchester Arena is Britain's largest performance venue, holding up to 21,000 people. It is located above Manchester's Victoria Station. All rail traffic to and from the station has been halted.
The attack is the worst for casualties in the UK since the London bombings of 2005, in which 52 people were killed.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement condemning the attack. "The government of Israel strongly condemns last night's awful terrorist attack in Manchester. I send condolences to the families of the people who were murdered and my wishes for a recovery to those who were injured. Terrorism is a global threat and the enlightened countries must work together to defeat it everywhere," the statement said.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 23, 2017
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