Memorial service commemorates Manchester arena victims

A national memorial service held in northern English city, Manchester, commemorated 22 victims of a terror attack, which targeted a concert hall a year ago.

Prime Minister Theresa May, Duke of Edinburgh Prince William, opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon were among many others who attended the service held at Manchester Cathedral.

The service marking the first anniversary of the Manchester Arena suicide bombing, which was also attended by family members of the victims started with prayers and hymns.

A minute of silence was observed at 2.30 p.m. local time (1530GMT) across the U.K.

At least 22 people were killed and dozens more, including children, injured in a suicide attack at a concert in the northern city of Manchester on 22 May 2017.

Approximately 59 people were injured at the 21,000-seat arena when the bomber blew himself up in the foyer area.

Ariana Grande tweeted a message of support for those who were affected by the deadly incident.

“Thinking of you all today and every day,” she said.

British-born Salman Abedi, 22, who has Libyan heritage targeted a foyer area of the Manchester Arena as concertgoers left a performance by American pop singer Ariana Grande.

The national terror threat level was raised to ‘critical’ from ‘severe’ after an evaluation by terrorism specialists, meaning a terror attack was imminent.

Approximately 1,000 military personnel were deployed across the U.K. to provide security at key sites including the Buckingham Palace and the parliament building in London.

In 2017, 36 people were killed in terror attacks in London and Manchester.