World leaders condemn Manchester attack, express condolence

Leaders from around the world condemned the attack in Manchester, Britain, and expressing their condolences for the victims.

Twenty people people, including children, were killed and 59 wounded when a suicide bomber struck as thousands of fans streamed out of a concert by U.S. singer Ariana Grande in Manchester on Monday.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the incident was being treated as a terrorist attack, making it the deadliest militant assault in Britain since four British Muslims killed 52 people in suicide bombings on London’s transport system in July 2005.

Police said the attacker detonated the explosives shortly after 10:33 p.m. (2133 GMT) at Manchester Arena, which has the capacity to hold 21,000 people. Children were among the dead, police said.

U.S. President Donald Trump extended his condolences to the families of the victims killed by “evil losers” in Manchester during remarks in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.

“I won’t call them monsters, because they would like that term,” said Mr. Trump in a joint press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, adding that so many “young, beautiful” people lost their lives in the explosion at Manchester Arena in Britain late on Monday.

Also, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said: “this attack is especially vile, especially criminal, especially horrific, because it appears to have been deliberately directed at teenagers.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel in her condolence said: “People in the UK can rest assured that Germany stands shoulder to shoulder with them.”

Also Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said: “The vile acts carried out in Manchester last night are a reminder of the depravity of the views held by the few. Those beliefs have no place in our society.”

Ariana Grande, 23, later said on Twitter: “Broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words.” May, who faces an election in two-and-a-half weeks, said her thoughts were with the victims and their families.

She and Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition Labour Party, agreed to suspend campaigning ahead of the June 8 election.

(dpa/NAN)