This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2017/may/24/manchester-arena-bombing-terror-attack-victims-threat-critical-ariana-grande-concert-live-news

The article has changed 44 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Manchester bombing: more victims named as threat level is raised to critical – live news Manchester bombing: more victims named as threat level is raised to critical – live news
(35 minutes later)
6.42am BST
06:42
Alison Howe and Lisa Lees confirmed among dead
Two more victims of the blast have been named.
They are Alison Howe and Lisa Lees.
The two women were waiting in the foyer of Manchester Arena to collect their 15-year-old daughters, who were at the Ariana Grande concert. The girls are safe, the Mirror reports this morning.
But their mothers both died in the attack.
Lee Hunter, the brother of Lees, wrote on Facebook: “For those who don’t know, Lisa is gone but never, ever forgotten. I love you Lisa. I’ll miss you so much.”
Jordan Howe, who yesterday spoke to the Guardian as he searched hospitals for his missing stepmother, confirmed she too had died, posting on Facebook: “They took a caring beautiful mum and step mother away from us all. She was amazing to us all x love you loads Alison Howe.”
Updated
at 6.43am BST
6.28am BST
06:28
Greater Manchester police has welcomed the upping of the threat level. In an overnight statement, deputy chief constable Ian Pilling said:
Raising the threat level to critical … will support our ongoing investigation. People across Greater Manchester have seen an increased police presence throughout the day and this will continue. They will be seen at key locations across the region.
We are continuing to work with the national counter-terrorism policing network and UK intelligence services as part of the response to dealing with the tragic events that took place 24 hours ago.
We would ask people to remain vigilant as they have been throughout the day and report anything in confidence to the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789321 or in an emergency 999.
People have shown tremendous strength and resilience throughout the day and we need this to continue in the difficult days ahead.
6.16am BST
06:16
We now know the names of five of the 22 people who died in the terror attack. They were:
Olivia Campbell, 15
Kelly Brewster, 32
Saffie Rose Roussos, 8
Georgina Callander, 18
John Atkinson, 28
An emergency number is available for those concerned about loved ones or anyone who may have been in the area. The National Casualty Bureau number to call is 0800 096 0095.
6.11am BST6.11am BST
06:1106:11
Jason BurkeJason Burke
In recent years a shift has occurred: attacks on “lifestyle” targets have become increasingly common. Why this shift, and why are such targets so apparently attractive to a terrorist?In recent years a shift has occurred: attacks on “lifestyle” targets have become increasingly common. Why this shift, and why are such targets so apparently attractive to a terrorist?
One reason is that the more obvious targets – the military bases, embassies, government offices, airports and so on – are better protected than they were a decade ago. Terrorist targets are often determined by what is feasible, not by what fits a master plan.One reason is that the more obvious targets – the military bases, embassies, government offices, airports and so on – are better protected than they were a decade ago. Terrorist targets are often determined by what is feasible, not by what fits a master plan.
Another reason for the shift is that al-Qaida, now relatively weaker than before, and Islamic State, which has become pre-eminent among jihadis, differ on tactics and strategy, even if their aims coincide. The veterans of al-Qaida prioritise building support for their extremist project and try to strike targets that they believe potential sympathisers will regard as legitimate. They may justify some attacks as being in line with their reading of Islamic law which calls for fair retaliation – in their case for Muslim casualties of western military actions. Others can be justified by deeming citizens of western nations collectively responsible for the acts of their governments.Another reason for the shift is that al-Qaida, now relatively weaker than before, and Islamic State, which has become pre-eminent among jihadis, differ on tactics and strategy, even if their aims coincide. The veterans of al-Qaida prioritise building support for their extremist project and try to strike targets that they believe potential sympathisers will regard as legitimate. They may justify some attacks as being in line with their reading of Islamic law which calls for fair retaliation – in their case for Muslim casualties of western military actions. Others can be justified by deeming citizens of western nations collectively responsible for the acts of their governments.
But even al-Qaida would probably consider killing teenagers at a concert to be beyond the pale.But even al-Qaida would probably consider killing teenagers at a concert to be beyond the pale.
Not Isis however. The group relies on escalating brutality to terrorise target populations, whether in the west or the Middle East.Not Isis however. The group relies on escalating brutality to terrorise target populations, whether in the west or the Middle East.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.12am BSTat 6.12am BST
5.58am BST5.58am BST
05:5805:58
Kelly Brewster’s partner, Ian Winslow, has confirmed that she is among those killed in the attack.Kelly Brewster’s partner, Ian Winslow, has confirmed that she is among those killed in the attack.
He wrote on Facebook:He wrote on Facebook:
Not sure how this works but it isn’t good news. Kelly Brewster wasn’t one of the unidentified hospital patients. She has sadly passed away in the terror attack yesterday.Not sure how this works but it isn’t good news. Kelly Brewster wasn’t one of the unidentified hospital patients. She has sadly passed away in the terror attack yesterday.
Kelly really was the happiest she has ever been and we had so many things planned together. My daughter Phoebe will be absolutely devastated, like we all are.Kelly really was the happiest she has ever been and we had so many things planned together. My daughter Phoebe will be absolutely devastated, like we all are.
5.43am BST5.43am BST
05:4305:43
Killer had recently visited Libya – reportsKiller had recently visited Libya – reports
There are reports that Salman Abedi, named as the perpetrator of the attack, had visited Libya recently, with some saying he returned to the UK only days before he killed 22 people at the Manchester Arena.There are reports that Salman Abedi, named as the perpetrator of the attack, had visited Libya recently, with some saying he returned to the UK only days before he killed 22 people at the Manchester Arena.
The Times reports that he spent time in Libya, citing an unnamed school friend:The Times reports that he spent time in Libya, citing an unnamed school friend:
He went to Libya three weeks ago and came back recently, like days ago.He went to Libya three weeks ago and came back recently, like days ago.
Abedi was British, but his family is from Libya. The Guardian understands that his father, Abu Ismail Abedi, is thought to be in Tripoli.Abedi was British, but his family is from Libya. The Guardian understands that his father, Abu Ismail Abedi, is thought to be in Tripoli.
The Sun reports that Salman Abedi may have used trips to Libya to travel to Syria. This has not been confirmed.The Sun reports that Salman Abedi may have used trips to Libya to travel to Syria. This has not been confirmed.
The Guardian has one of the first pictures of Abedi, taken during an Islamic class at the Didsbury mosque:The Guardian has one of the first pictures of Abedi, taken during an Islamic class at the Didsbury mosque:
5.35am BST5.35am BST
05:3505:35
Kelly Brewster, who was 32, also died in the blast, her family has confirmed to the Daily Mail.Kelly Brewster, who was 32, also died in the blast, her family has confirmed to the Daily Mail.
Brewster had attended the Ariana Grande concert with her sister Claire and niece, Hollie Booth. They were both injured in the attack and are being treated in hospital.Brewster had attended the Ariana Grande concert with her sister Claire and niece, Hollie Booth. They were both injured in the attack and are being treated in hospital.
Friends of Brewster have paid tribute to her on on social media. Her uncle, Paul Dryhurst, earlier described how she had been caught up in the blast:Friends of Brewster have paid tribute to her on on social media. Her uncle, Paul Dryhurst, earlier described how she had been caught up in the blast:
Kelly has shielded Hollie and Claire from the damage. The three were walking out in single file, with Claire in front, Hollie behind her, and Kelly behind her.Kelly has shielded Hollie and Claire from the damage. The three were walking out in single file, with Claire in front, Hollie behind her, and Kelly behind her.
When the bomb has gone off, the impact has broken Claire’s jaw and broken Hollie’s legs. They are both currently in hospital having nuts and bolts removed from all places.When the bomb has gone off, the impact has broken Claire’s jaw and broken Hollie’s legs. They are both currently in hospital having nuts and bolts removed from all places.
5.26am BST5.26am BST
05:2605:26
Olivia Campbell, 15, who had been missing since the blast, has died, her mother has confirmed.Olivia Campbell, 15, who had been missing since the blast, has died, her mother has confirmed.
The teenager was the subject of a massive social media campaign to find her after she could not be contacted in the wake of the explosion.The teenager was the subject of a massive social media campaign to find her after she could not be contacted in the wake of the explosion.
Her mother Charlotte Campbell spoke to the media on Tuesday about her desperate attempts to make contact with her daughter:Her mother Charlotte Campbell spoke to the media on Tuesday about her desperate attempts to make contact with her daughter:
I’m at home phoning everybody: hospitals, police, the centres that the children have been put in. Her dad’s in Manchester looking for her. I’ve got friends looking for her. I’ve got people I don’t even know looking for her, people messaging me, saying we’ve got her photo, looking for her, we’ll get in contact if we see her. And I’m just hearing nothing. Her phone’s dead…I’m at home phoning everybody: hospitals, police, the centres that the children have been put in. Her dad’s in Manchester looking for her. I’ve got friends looking for her. I’ve got people I don’t even know looking for her, people messaging me, saying we’ve got her photo, looking for her, we’ll get in contact if we see her. And I’m just hearing nothing. Her phone’s dead…
They’ve basically told me to stay put and wait for a phone call. I daren’t leave the house just in case she somehow gets home.They’ve basically told me to stay put and wait for a phone call. I daren’t leave the house just in case she somehow gets home.
Overnight, Charlotte Campbell confirmed that Olivia had died, in a public Facebook post dedicated to “my darling precious gorgeous girl”.Overnight, Charlotte Campbell confirmed that Olivia had died, in a public Facebook post dedicated to “my darling precious gorgeous girl”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.27am BSTat 5.27am BST
5.10am BST5.10am BST
05:1005:10
What we know so farWhat we know so far
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
Soldiers are to be deployed on Britain’s streets after the threat level was raised from severe to critical, meaning officials believe another terrorist attack may be imminent.Soldiers are to be deployed on Britain’s streets after the threat level was raised from severe to critical, meaning officials believe another terrorist attack may be imminent.
The move came in the wake of the suicide bombing of Manchester Arena, which killed 22 people and injured 59 more.The move came in the wake of the suicide bombing of Manchester Arena, which killed 22 people and injured 59 more.
The perpetrator has been identified as Salman Abedi, 22, a Mancunian of Libyan descent. He walked into the lobby of the arena on Monday evening as thousands of people were exiting an Ariana Grande concert, detonating an improvised device that murdered and maimed many.The perpetrator has been identified as Salman Abedi, 22, a Mancunian of Libyan descent. He walked into the lobby of the arena on Monday evening as thousands of people were exiting an Ariana Grande concert, detonating an improvised device that murdered and maimed many.
Among those he killed were eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos; Georgina Callander, 18; and John Atkinson, 28.Among those he killed were eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos; Georgina Callander, 18; and John Atkinson, 28.
Overnight, the names of two more victims have been revealed: Kelly Brewster, 32, and Olivia Campbell, who was 15. Her mother Charlotte Campbell paid tribute to her “darling precious gorgeous girl”.Overnight, the names of two more victims have been revealed: Kelly Brewster, 32, and Olivia Campbell, who was 15. Her mother Charlotte Campbell paid tribute to her “darling precious gorgeous girl”.
Several people remain missing, many of them teenagers, with family and friends continuing to share their names and pictures on social media.Several people remain missing, many of them teenagers, with family and friends continuing to share their names and pictures on social media.
In messages posted online, Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, but this has not been confirmed by officials investigating the blast. There are reports today that Abedi had recently returned from a trip to Libya.In messages posted online, Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, but this has not been confirmed by officials investigating the blast. There are reports today that Abedi had recently returned from a trip to Libya.
A 23-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday morning in south Manchester, and is believed to be Ismael Abedi, the brother of the perpetrator.A 23-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday morning in south Manchester, and is believed to be Ismael Abedi, the brother of the perpetrator.
All parties have suspended campaigning for the 8 June general election.All parties have suspended campaigning for the 8 June general election.
The prime minister, Theresa May, condemned the attack as:The prime minister, Theresa May, condemned the attack as:
appalling, sickening cowardice, deliberately targeting innocent, defenceless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives.appalling, sickening cowardice, deliberately targeting innocent, defenceless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives.
A vigil held in Manchester’s Albert Square on Tuesday evening drew thousands in solidarity with those killed and wounded.A vigil held in Manchester’s Albert Square on Tuesday evening drew thousands in solidarity with those killed and wounded.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.03am BSTat 6.03am BST