Reactions to the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing

The reactions to the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing include the responses by political and religious leaders, media and the general public, both within the United Kingdom where the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing took place, other nations and international organizations. Numerous notable establishments around the world also held memorials.
Political responses
Domestic
On 23 May 2017, Queen Elizabeth II and the British royal family held a minute of silence at a Buckingham Palace garden party in honour of the victims of the bombing.
Prime Minister Theresa May called the incident an "appalling terrorist attack" and chaired a meeting of COBRA the next morning, while Queen Elizabeth II expressed her "deepest sympathy" to those affected by this "dreadful event". Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn called it a "terrible incident", stating that his "thoughts are with all those affected and our brilliant emergency services". Campaigning for the general election was suspended by all political parties. The day after the bombing, May announced that the U.K.'s threat level has been raised to 'critical', the first time in 10 years. As a result, the British Armed Forces will be deployed to support police forces at key locations in the UK.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, called the incident "an evil act". Burnham paid tribute to locals and businesses who had supported the victims. He later announced a vigil to be held in Albert Square the following evening. The morning after the attack, Sadiq Khan stated that the capital "stands united with the great city of Manchester today", and later stated that "Londoners will see more police on our streets today".
On the day after the attack, flags were flown at half-mast on Downing Street and other public buildings across the UK as well as around the world.
Supranational bodies
* Commonwealth of Nations Secretary-General Patricia Scotland condemned "in the strongest terms this attack on teenagers and young children who had simply ventured out to enjoy an evening of music." She went on to praise first responders and others who offered assistance to the victims.
* : European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker expressed "great sadness and profound shock", adding that "once again, terrorism has sought to instil fear where there should be joy".
* : Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, offered his "profound sympathy" and condolences to the victims and their family, and that he "hopes that those who are responsible for this despicable attack will be swiftly found and bought to justice".
* Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Yousef Al-Othaimeen condemned "in the strongest term" and expressed "his anguish over the death of these innocent people and injuring many others."
Countries
* : President Mauricio Macri wrote on Twitter: "My solidarity with the British people, in particular the families of the victims of the attack at Manchester Arena. We condemn profoundly all manner of terrorism and violence."
* : President Serzh Sargsyan said "Armenia strongly condemns such inhumane acts and is determined to continue throught the joint efforts figtht against violence and terror".
* : Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull condemned the attacks in a spoken statement shortly after the attack and expressed solidarity. He expressed disgust and posited that it was "deliberately directed at teenagers" and a "brutal attack on young people everywhere."
* : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina condemned the attacks and offered condolences.
* : Prime Minister Charles Michel wrote on Twitter: "All my thoughts go out to the victims in Manchester and I express Belgian support for the United kingdom." He told VRT Nieuws: "We know because of the Brussels bombings last year good how painful and difficult it now is for the families. It is crucial to fight together against terror.
* : Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered "deepest condolences" on behalf of all Canadians to the families and friends of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to everyone who was injured. He also vowed to "continue to counter such senseless acts and to fight terrorism in its many forms" and to "assist British authorities in bringing those responsible to justice."
* : President Xi Jinping offered condolences to the Queen, stating, "The Chinese people are firmly standing together with the British people at this difficult time".
* : The Ministry strongly condemned the "heinous terrorist attack" that took place late in Manchester and, in a written statement, it expressed its full support and solidarity with the government and the people of the United Kingdom. "We convey deepest condolences to the victims’ families and wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack" and it further added: "We maintain our strong resolve to stand united with our partners against terrorism and any action which aims at creating fear and mistrust in our societies."
* : Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen condemned the attack, calling it tragic and meaningless, and extended his sympathies to the victims, their families and the people of the United Kingdom.
* : President Sauli Niinistö said that the "terrorist attack full of young people to a concert venue tells the ruthless inhumanity. I'll be on behalf of all Finnish part of the grief of the victims' relatives and loved ones. Finland condemns all forms of terrorism sharply."
* : President Emmanuel Macron visited the British Embassy in Paris to sign a book of condolence and stated "I address my thoughts to the British people, the victims and their loved ones. We are leading the fight against terrorism together."
* : Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her deepest sympathy for all victims and for their families and loved ones in their sorrow and despair saying: "It is incomprehensible that anybody could use a carefree pop concert to kill and maim so many people." She further pointed out: "This suspected terrorist attack will only strengthen our resolve to continue to take joint action with our British friends against those who plan and carry out inhuman acts like this."
* : Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras condemned the attacks, following with, "We express our solidarity with the British people".
* : Pope Francis expressed that he was "deeply saddened" by the "injury and tragic loss of life" and invoked "God's blessings of peace, healing, and strength upon the nation."
* : Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said: "Europe is suffering repeated attacks, which represent a major shock to us all, and accordingly we must do everything possible to restore the security of the continent". He went on to offer support and condolences.
* : Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson condemned the attack, stating "Nothing can explain the will to attack innocent people, children, teenagers and their parents, as was so cruelly done in Manchester last night. No words can express the extent of the consequences." The Icelandic President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson sent an official letter of condolence to the Queen.
* : Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attacks and offered condolences.
* : Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and compared it to an attack on Mirjaveh, which occured about a month prior, stating: "It is advisable that all the countries that have been victims of the extremist ideology and Takfiri terrorism get united and confront it in a serious, sincere and purposeful manner."
* : Taoiseach Enda Kenny condemned the attack and said it was "an attack on innocence and happiness".
*
** : Prime Minister of Kurdistan Nechirvan Barzani issued a statement condemning the bombing and stated: "I strongly condemn the terrorist attack which targeted an art concert in the city of Manchester in Britain last night, in which some civilians were killed and injured. I extend my condolences to the families of the victims, the British nation and government. I stand by you and share your grievances. I wish a quick recovery to the wounded."
* : Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered condolences and stated, "Terrorism is a global threat and it is incumbent on the enlightened countries to defeat it everywhere."
* : Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said "the attack in Manchester is an attack to all Europe". He continues: "We work at this moment when arrives a strong message to the G7 meeting at Taormina of extraordinaire commitment against terrorism: we have the opportunity to assure together that the cowardice of those who breaks the lives of young people will not conquest our freedom".
* : Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in a letter to PM Theresa May, offered condolences and condemned the attacks, adding, "Peaceful life and young people with great future ahead became the target of the terrorist attack. I cannot help but feel strong resentment. In this difficult time, I wish to express my heartfelt solidarity."
* : President Uhuru Kenyatta condemned the attack, adding that his thoughts and prayers were with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Theresa May after the incident. He also offered 'any help the country could give', adding that, 'Kenya knows what it is like to suffer a tragedy such as this' in reference to the country's history of attacks.
*: Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent two cables of condolences to Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Theresa May on the victims of the horrific Manchester explosion, offering sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes of swift recovery for the wounded, rejecting such terrorist acts targeting innocents. Two other cables of similar sentiments were sent by the Crown Prince Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the Prime Minister.
* : Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak condemned the "barbaric and cowardly attack" and offered condolences. He stated, "At this time of heartbreak, Malaysia stands united with Britain. We must be firm, determined and ready to confront terror swiftly and decisively wherever and whenever it manifests itself."
* : Prime Minister Joseph Muscat called the bombing a "vicious attack" and expressed solidarity with the victims. The Maltese Foreign Office stated it was in contact with a number of Maltese citizens who were at the concert, but none of them were injured in the attack.
* : The following morning, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands offered condolences to the victims and families, adding, "Our thoughts are also with those who are anxiously awaiting news about the fate of their loved ones."
* : Within an hour of the news, Prime Minister Erna Solberg condemned the "terrible and meaningless attack" and offered condolences.
* : Shortly after the incident, the Foreign Office condemned the attacks. Hours later, Pakistan's PM Nawaz Sharif stated in a tweet that, "elimination of terrorism requires concerted efforts" and "such acts targeted towards innocent people is highly condemnable".
* : President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the attack and the loss of life, expressing condolences to Prime Minister Theresa May, the families of the affected, and the British people.
* : Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said: "The people of Papua New Guinea offer our prayers, and our hopes of survival for those injured."
* : President Rodrigo Duterte offered his "deepest sympathies and concern to the families of the dead and wounded in the Manchester incident; as well as appreciation for the excellent handling by police/security forces. We are in solidarity with the United Kingdom in addressing and combating violent extremism."
* : President Klaus Iohannis Outraged and saddened by the terrible news from Manchester. Our thoughts go to the victims and their loved ones. Solidarity with UK.
* : President Vladimir Putin condemned the attack, calling it a "cynical and inhuman crime", and offered his condolences to the British Prime Minister Theresa May.
* : The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed "strong condemnation" of the attack. It also "reaffirmed the Kingdom's solidarity with the United Kingdom, underscoring the importance of joining international efforts to eradicate the scourge of terrorism and extremism."
* : The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack, and expressed condolences. It added that "the ministry and the Singapore High Commission in London will work closely with the Manchester Police to monitor the situation."
* : Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy expressed his condolences to his counterpart and condemned the attack, describing it as "atrocious and cowardly."
* : President Maithripala Sirisena also condemned the attack. Additionally Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mahishini Colonne wrote on Twitter: "Saddened by the attack in #Manchester. #SriLanka condemns this heinous act. Our thoughts prayers are all those affected."
* : The Foreign Ministry condemned the attack the following morning, while Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu wrote: "I condemn the terrorist attack in Manchester. Sincere condolences to the British Government and people."
* : President Donald Trump condemned the attack and wrote on Twitter: "We stand in absolute solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom." Trump also commented on the events whilst on a visit to Israel, calling the perpetrator(s) "evil losers."
* : The government condemned the attack and issued a statement which is read that "Venezuela strongly condemns and rejects terrorism in all its forms, and reiterates its call to the international community to address and prevent the causes of these very serious hate crimes that affect all of humanity. The vile terrorist attack against young victims in Manchester attacks the future and the hope of the people."
* : Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has sent a message of condolence to his counterpart.
ISIL
* : The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant made an unconfirmed claim of responsibility for the attack, describing the attacker as "a soldier of the Caliphate".
Other actions
Practical responses
Manchester Arena, where the incident took place, issued a statement offering condolences to the people that were affected, calling the attack a "senseless tragedy". As a result, scheduled concerts in the venue later in the same week for band Take That were postponed.
Entertainment venues across the country, including The O2 Arena in London, increased their security measures.
Facebook activated its "Safety Check" feature for the affected area following the incident, allowing users to mark themselves as "safe", to notify family and friends.
Vigils and honours
Monuments around the world were lit up in the colours of the Union Jack in solidarity with the UK. They included the Burj Khalifa, Tel Aviv City Hall, Jet d'Eau, Brandenburg Gate. The lights of the Eiffel Tower, The Colloseum, the Trevi Fountain and Empire State Building were turned off as a sign of respect.
There was a vigil in Albert Square, Manchester, where a minute of silence was observed followed by speeches from members of the community along with speeches from Manchester Mayor Andy Burnam, Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins and Poet Toby Walsh. Also on stage was the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, Opposition Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow and Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron. Various vigils were held in other places in the UK too, including London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Belfast, Coventry, Liverpool, Sheffield, Newcastle upon Tyne, Bolton, Swindon, Leeds and Tarleton.
The Cannes film festival held a moment of silence on their red carpet a day after the attack.
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande, whose concert had ended shortly before the explosion, posted on her official Twitter account: "Broken. From the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words." Her management team added that they "mourn the lives of children and loved ones taken by this cowardly act".
As a result of the bombing, Grande suspended her international Dangerous Woman Tour and returned home via jet to Florida, U.S.
Public figures
Columnist Katie Hopkins suggested the need for a "final solution", which was interpreted by some as calling for ethnic cleansing of the UK's Muslim population. However she had then deleted her tweet and replaced the words 'final solution' with 'true solution'.
James Corden made a heartfelt statement on his talk show, The Late Late Show with James Corden, expressing that people will "go to bed holding our little ones tighter" after the attacks. Fellow talk show host Ellen Degeneres wrote on Twitter: "This story is so sad and so scary. Sending all my love to Manchester."
Former Presidents of the United States Barack Obama and Bill Clinton wrote: "Americans will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of the UK" and "senseless & vicious acts of terror never drive us apart," respectively.
Various celebrities expressed their condolences for the bombing, including Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Gary Lineker, Dwayne Johnson, Gigi Hadid and Ryan Seacrest.
Music industry
Many within the music industry showed their support for Grande and the victims of the attack. Singer-songwriter Katy Perry condemned the bombing, stating she was "broken hearted" for everyone involved, and for "the state of this world". Canadian hip-hop artist Drake offered condolences to the victims of the bombing, adding that it was a "real fear" that he had while on his recent concert tour. American rapper Nicki Minaj, who has previously collaborated with Grande, said that her "head hurts" after hearing about the attack. Further messages of condolence came from Kylie Minogue, Selena Gomez, Shawn Mendes, Madonna, Taylor Swift, Cher, Harry Styles, Camila Cabello, Niall Horan, Martin Garrix, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Jennifer Lopez, John Legend, Lorde, Lights, Fifth Harmony, Miley Cyrus, Ella Henderson, Trisha Paytas, Nathan Sykes, Demi Lovato, Rihanna, Nick Jonas and many others.
Religious groups
British Muslim groups, such as the Muslim Council of Britain and Ahmadi Muslims UK condemned the attack and expressed their condolences.
Sporting organisations
ICC
The ICC suggested that the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, starting next month, could be in doubt after bombing as a result of security issues. Torunament Director Steve Elworthy added that "our thoughts and condolences are with everyone who has been affected by this appalling atrocity. The security plan and planning process has been developed in line with, and reflects, the current threat level within the UK. We will be assessing and reviewing that security plan all the time. We've continually worked with the venues to help develop our plan. The readiness testing has been completed, so we are up to speed with all of that. The ICC, through David Richardson and ourselves have been in contact with all of the members and are in continual communication with them over the last 12 hours, and will continue to be in contact until the tournament kicks off."
Other
NXT, a developmental professional wrestling promotion managed by the WWE, had cancelled the NXT Live tour for 6 June due to the events. TMZ released a statement from a WWE representative: "WWE offers its heartfelt condolences to those affected by this tragedy. We are working with local authorities on the appropriate course of action as it relates to our event scheduled for Tuesday, June 6 at the Manchester Arena." However, the shows in Aberdeen, Leeds and Brighton remained on schedule.<ref name=WNS />

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu