Pained by the attack in Manchester. We strongly condemn it. Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured: India PM
IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, May 23: India President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have strongly condemned the brutal terror blast that killed at least 19 people in Manchester of England Monday night.
“Shocked to hear of Manchester blast; condolences to families of deceased & prayers for injured,” tweeted President Mukherjee.
“India stands by Government and people of UK in this hour of distress,” he asserted.
India PM condemns Manchester attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday strongly condemned the terror attack in Manchester, England, during a pop concert by US singer, in which 19 people were killed and over 50 injured.
“Pained by the attack in Manchester. We strongly condemn it. Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured,” Modi said in a tweet.
19 dead, 50 injured in Britain concert blasts
At least 19 persons have been killed and 50 injured in a suspected terror attack in a stadium in Manchester, following a concert by singer Ariana Grande, media reports said.
Police were called to reports of an explosion at the Manchester Arena at about 10.35 p.m. (local time) following a pop concert by the US singer Ariana Grande, the BBC reported.
Sources said that while the cause of the blast in unknown, the North West Counter Terrorism unit is treating it as a possible terrorist incident.
Officers have told the BBC there is a second suspect device near where the first explosion occurred.
Reporters were moved away from the scene and a controlled explosion has taken place.
The area has been evacuated while authorities investigate the blasts. Emergency services and numerous ambulances were dispatched to the stadium area, where some 20,000 people were on hand to see Grande perform.
Some of the concert-goers uploaded videos to the social networks showing people fleeing the area and screaming after the blasts.
Train service was suspended at Manchester’s Victoria Station, which is next door to the stadium, and all transport lines were reportedly cut by the authorities after the incident.
Although the explosions sparked screaming and panic among the concert crowd, a spokesman for the singer said she was not hurt.
Manchester Arena, formerly known as the MEN Arena, is the biggest indoor venue in the city with a capacity of around 18,000 for concerts.
–With inputs from IANS
