Manchester Police: Salman Abedi, 22, Libyan parents, likely author of the attack
He had abandoned university, and according to some, had become radicalized. His father and brother were well-known in the mosque for their service and volunteerism. Great gathering places appear increasingly "vulnerable".
Manchester (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Salman Abedi, 22, born in Manchester of Libyan origin, is the suspected suicide bomber who two days ago killed 22 people and injured another 59 at the end of a concert by popstar Ariana Grande at the Manchester Arena .
The young age of the suspect mirrors the young age of the victims. These include an eight-year-old girl, Saffie Rose Roussos, and a 18-year-old girl, Georgina Callander. Another young man named as one of those killed is John Atkinson, 28 years old. Among the injured there are at least 12 children under the age of 16.
Last night, thousands of people from across the religious spectrum participated in a prayer and silence vigil in honor of the victims at the city hall.
Salman Abedi had been an economics student at Salford University before dropping out. Born to a devoted Libyan Muslim family, Salman Abedi attended a non-central mosque, the Didsbury Mosque where his father Ramadan was well-known because he sometimes sang the prayer. His brother Ismael was also known for his volunteer work. Testimonies of the mosque's frequenters speak of him as a very composite and jovial boy, but others say that he has become overwrought in recent times. According to the Financial Times, Salman was known to public security and in recent months had moved towards Islamic radicalism. Abedi had returned from Libya only a few days ago.
According to police, the young man used a handmade bomb mixed with metal pieces to cause maximum damage, massacring people at the end of the concert and ending his own life. According to security cameras, Abedi had placed the explosive in a rucksack that he placed on the ground before the explosion.
Security analyst Nicholl Kit says "several aspects suggest that the attack was meticulously planned and probably involved more than one person."
Many wonder if security was sufficient, as places for large gatherings appear increasingly “vulnerable”.
Police arrested another 23-year-old man at Chorlton, near Manchester, suspected of connection with the attack.
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