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terrorism

Explosion, many deaths at Ariana Grande concert in Manchester: Open Thread

One of the injured in Manchester

Terrible news: An explosion outside an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester has left at least 19 dead and 50 injured, according to press reports at the time of this writing. There are apparently indications it was a suicide bomber, but details are still scarce at this point.

Discuss, share info here. No trolls, etc.

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mywall
mywall
7 years ago

Well, fuck!

Wetherby
Wetherby
7 years ago

I woke up to the news this morning. I feel really devastated by this, which is funny in a way because as a Londoner who goes to Westminster frequently for work and uses the underground almost daily, this feels somehow worse than the recent Westminster or 7/7 attacks. And I only go to really boring places when I go to Manchester.

For me, it’s worse because the bomber (there seems to be little serious doubt about this now) targeted teenagers and children, presumably knowingly.

DanHolme
DanHolme
7 years ago

Yo all,

I hadn’t seen the news yet today before I logged on to this site, so I’m very grateful that you had something on here or I would have continued on in ignorance for longer.

I’m just ringing round a few people I know to check they’re okay. So far so good. But huge condolences to all those who haven’t been so lucky.

I’m going to go and have a discreet little cry shortly.

If I hear anything of public interest, I’ll post.

Temascos
Temascos
7 years ago

Man, it’s horrible to wake up and hear such news.

I intend to go travelling and not letting scumbags try to rule people through fear but I can’t imagine how the families and friends of victims must feel right now.

And of course, there’s always the anger and backlash that ends up hurting innocent people.

sunnysombrera
7 years ago

Apparently it was a suicide bomber.

opposablethumbs
opposablethumbs
7 years ago

Woke up to this horrendous news, can’t begin to grasp how awful. Those poor kids who were there, and the parents. (And all those who will jump on it to stoke the backlash.)
Fuck.

Valentine
Valentine
7 years ago

@sunny. You have more infromation? I think it is a video in your link and i cant see. Did they say anymore what is happening there now?

Mels
Mels
7 years ago

Death toll at 22 now, injured at 59, per The Guardian.

Fuck everything.

sunnysombrera
7 years ago

Oh God. Far right trolls on Facebook are instantly assuming the attack was a Muslim immigrant, which is pretty standard for them. But they’ve taken a new twist on things by blaming liberals for the attack. “This is the fault of liberals for allowing these people to come in!” “CLOSE OUR BORDERS! Liberals will only let this happen again and again!”

It’s fun being a scapegoat. /s

sunnysombrera
7 years ago

@Valentine

Not much more info. They just know the attacker died at the scene and the bomb was an “improvised” explosive device.

Alan Robertshaw
Alan Robertshaw
7 years ago

*warning for incel crap*

I’m still a bit phased by all this. And just when it couldn’t get any worse I foolishly looked on r/incels. It’s weird, I’m just despairing about the actual perpetrator, but it’s the incels who’ve managed to make me angry.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Incels/comments/6crcqy/a_moment_of_silence_for_the_victims_in_the_uk/

Valentine
Valentine
7 years ago

Okay thanks sunny and also people sharing info. My google search is too slow for looking news and i cant open twitter. Seems like mammoth is the only thing working now ??

Kat, ambassador of the feminist government in exile
Kat, ambassador of the feminist government in exile
7 years ago
DanHolme
DanHolme
7 years ago

I’ve just seen a photo of victims of the blast being tended to outside Chetham’s School of Music; this sent a shiver down my spine, because a relative of mine teaches there.

And I’ve already overheard students talking about the ‘Muslims’ that did this, something I have quickly kiboshed. I sense that’s something I’m going to be doing a lot this week.

Imaginary Petal
Imaginary Petal
7 years ago

This is not the best timeline. There really is something extra evil about this attack. Disgusting.

Alan Robertshaw
Alan Robertshaw
7 years ago

Woah, just to freak me out a bit further the Guardian front page has a big picture with the crew guys who alerted us to this in the first place. Makes it all seem more ‘real’ if that makes sense? I know it is real but normally with stuff like this there’s always a level of detachment, like you’re seeing it on the news but it doesn’t affect you.

Funny, none of the London bombings affected me at all but this just seems so awful and sickening. I still can’t get over that someone would deliberately target kids; but the image I can’t get out of my head is that a spilt second before they’d all have been sooooo excited and happy. It just seems extra cruel somehow. It’s the speed of the thing. One moment you’re having the time of your young life and a nano-second later it’s all changed forever.

Sorry, rambling. Just trying to process.

ETA: @ Dan – “this sent a shiver down my spine, because a relative of mine teaches there.” Know exactly what you mean, it’s like you’ll see something and it just brings it all home. Obviously I’m not affected by this at all, it’s all the other people who I feel sorry for, but it just has that weird resonance because you keep seeing familiar things. Yeah, maybe its that ‘familiar’ thing that’s so freaky.

Bacon
Bacon
7 years ago

I’m a Mancunian and I’m gutted this morning.

I’m also really furious because this morning the internet was full of racists attacking muslims. Even though Manchester’s muslims are already gutted, along with everyone else in the city.

DanHolme
DanHolme
7 years ago

@Bacon

Condolences, best wishes and love from Derby, my duck. Stay safe.

Moggie
Moggie
7 years ago

Katie Hopkins posted a tweet (now deleted) calling for a “final solution”, and has been reported to the police.

Alan Robertshaw
Alan Robertshaw
7 years ago

@ bacon

I’m also really furious because this morning the internet was full of racists attacking muslims. Even though Manchester’s muslims are already gutted, along with everyone else in the city.

There was an interview with a presumbaly Muslim guy last night. It hit me a bit because he’s from my home town. But he’d just picked his wife and 12 year old daughter up as the bomb went off. They’re obviously devastated. It was so harrowing to hear. His daughter was just curled up in bed crying and his wife was almost catatonic. But they’re just a regular family. This was his daughter’s Christmas present. I can’t get that bit of info out of my head. And I keep coming back to what’s really hitting me here. Once second it’s the happiest time of your young life, then instantly that all changes forever. It’s just such a shitty thing to do.

Moggie
Moggie
7 years ago

Buzzfeed are reporting that people are posting fake “missing person” notices about the bombing. For the… lulz?

Moggie
Moggie
7 years ago

There’s been an arrest of “a 23-year-old man in South Manchester”. Accomplice?

Ohlmann
Ohlmann
7 years ago

Thoses fake news are evil. They are less serious than the bomb, but they revolt me more, for reason I can’t adequatly put in words.

Valentine
Valentine
7 years ago

Who is katie Hopkins?

Alan Robertshaw
Alan Robertshaw
7 years ago

@ Valentine

Who is katie Hopkins?

Vile professional troll in the Milo mould.