Manchester Bombing Victims Honoured By Minute's Silence Across The City

A service this afternoon saw hundreds of people gather to honour the dead.
LOADINGERROR LOADING

The nation has come to a standstill to remember the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena attack that took place one year ago today.

People across the country marked the anniversary with a minute’s silence at 2.30pm, while hundreds of people – including victims’ families, the Prime Minister Theresa May and Prince William – attended a packed service at Manchester Cathedral.

Crowds gathered outside of the church, which hosted the funerals of some of the bombing victims, to watch the service as it was live-streamed on a huge screen. It was also shown at York Minster, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Glasgow Cathedral.

During the memorial, 22 candles stood on the altar to represent those who died when suicide bomber, Salman Abedi, detonated a device at the end of an Ariana Grande concert.

The candles were made using wax from the thousands of candles left in St Ann’s Square in the wake of the tragedy.

WPA Pool via Getty Images

Ariana Grande tweeted the message: “Thinking of you all today and everyday,” adding a bee emoji, a symbol which has been synonymous with Manchester for decades.

“I love you with all of me and am sending you all of the light and warmth I have to offer on this challenging day.”

thinking of you all today and every day 🐝 I love you with all of me and am sending you all of the light and warmth I have to offer on this challenging day

— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 22, 2018

Speaking earlier on Tuesday, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said that the city is “stronger than we were” a year ago.

He told the BBC’s Today Programme that it was “hard to believe” that a year had passed since a suicide bomber killed 22 people and injured more than 800.

“But in that year Manchester has changed. We’re stronger than we were, we’re more together and there’s a more palpable sense of community spirit,” he said, but cautioned that underneath that strength was deep emotional scars.

“The scars are very real and they are very deep and today the families who lost loved ones are at the forefront of our minds... we are a city in recovery and we’ve still got a long way to go.”

Burnham said the attack, carried out at 10.31pm, was an act of “evil” that affected many young people who “couldn’t image themselves in that scene”.

He said the city continued to support those impacted by the tragedy and reiterated that Manchester would not be beaten by terrorism.

Manchester’s commemorations began at 8am on Tuesday, when a Trees of Hope trail opened, allowing people to walk along a route lined with 28 Japanese maple trees to hang messages of tribute or solidarity on their branches.

#mcrtogether My message on behalf of Greater Manchester Police has been placed on one of the trees of hope ahead of tomorrow's First Anniversary of the Manchester Arena Attack. pic.twitter.com/EvL2a2K5jJ

— CC Ian Hopkins (@CCIanHopkins) May 21, 2018

London stands united with everyone in Manchester today, as we remember those affected by the terrorist attack one year ago. I've sent my message to hang on the Trees of Hope trail around the city to show that we will never be divided by terrorism #manchestertogether pic.twitter.com/UteRDu7NmR

— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) May 22, 2018

Trees of Hope in Manchester city centre. The trees are intended to be a focus for people who want to share the msgs of tribute, Sloidarity + Love on the anniversary of the Mcr Arena incident. #WeStandTogether #mcrtogether @suptrickjackson pic.twitter.com/rvn8iWYnab

— Police Sgt A Hussain (@PSAbsHussain) May 21, 2018

The messages are being placed on the trees between Victoria Station and St Ann’s Square, and will be added to the archive of public responses to the deadly attack.

The tree-lined route
The tree-lined route
Google Maps/ Manchester City Council

Heading to Manchester today to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the atrocity one year ago, including young Eilidh MacLeod from Barra. I hope today’s memorial service brings some comfort to the bereaved and to those who are still living with their injuries.

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 22, 2018

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The attack at Manchester Arena last year was an attack on our common humanity. The solidarity, love and support shown across the country and beyond helped us through an incredibly difficult period and demonstrated a collective refusal to give in to hatred and fear.”

Mourners outside Manchester Cathedral after the funeral service of Saffie Roussos, who died in the arena bombing
Mourners outside Manchester Cathedral after the funeral service of Saffie Roussos, who died in the arena bombing
PA Archive/PA Images

Rev Keith W Ross, Locum Minister at Glasgow Cathedral, said he was “honoured” to screen the service.

“By gathering together, in this act of worship, we all receive solace and those affected may share their continued grief and be reshaped by the power of love in the midst of tragedy.”

PA Archive/PA Images

Albert Square, which was the scene of moving commemorations soon after the attacks, will then hold the Together - With One Voice music event from 7.30pm.

The public will be invited to performances from 3,000 singers from choirs from across Greater Manchester, culminating in a half-hour singalong of songs including Ariana Grande’s One Last Time, One Day Like This by Elbow, and Don’t Look Back In Anger by Oasis.

“It is a fitting way for us to honour those who went full of joy to a music concert but never came back, or saw their lives changed forever,” said Sir Richard Leese, Manchester City’s council leader.

The Manchester Survivors Choir, a group made up people who were at the arena during the attack, will be among those singing.

JON SUPER via Getty Images

As night falls, song lyrics chosen by survivors and the public will be projected onto the pavements and buildings of St Ann’s Square, which was flooded with flowers and messages in the days after the bombing.

At 10.31pm, exactly one year on from the moment the bomb went off, bells will ring out in churches across the city.

Close

What's Hot