UK announces identity of Manchester suicide bomber

The man who killed 22 people in a suicide bombing at a music concert in the northern English city of Manchester was Salman Abedi, of Libyan origin.

Inside the Manchester Arena, where the explosion occurred. Photo: AP

"I can confirm that the man suspected of committing the violent act last night isSalman Abedi, 22 years old," the Guardian quoted Ian Hopkins, Chief of Manchester Police, as saying on May 23.Salman Ramadan Abedi, believed to live in Manchester, is of Libyan origin.

"Our priority, along with our counter-terrorism police network and security partners, is to continue to establish whether this individual acted alone or as part of a wider network," Mr Hopkins said.

Earlier, armed police cordoned off Elsmore Road, in south Manchester, and carried out a controlled explosion at the house where Abedi lived. Police also searched the home of Abedi's brother, Ismael, in south Manchester. They arrested a 23-year-old man near the family's former address.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack yesterday, saying one of its fighters had planted a bomb at the concert. However, the group did not provide specific evidence.

The suicide bombing on the evening of May 22 at the Manchester Arena, where American singer Ariana Grande was performing, killed at least 22 people and injured 59 others. Among the dead was an 8-year-old girl. This is the deadliest attack in the UK in a decade.

Suicide bombing incident

According to VNE