Yahoo – AFP,
Rosie SCAMMELL, May 25, 2017
Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) - "Don't look back in anger".
The crowd broke out into spontaneous song after the minute's silence (AFP Photo/Ben STANSALL) |
Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) - "Don't look back in anger".
The now
poignant words of legendary Manchester Britpop band Oasis rang out in a
flower-filled square on Thursday, as a grieving crowd broke out in song after a
minute's silence to remember the 22 people killed in Monday's suicide bombing.
In a city
with a proud musical heritage, this was a spontaneous message of defiance from
people trying to come to terms with the heartbreaking massacre of innocent
young victims who were themselves enjoying a pop concert.
A woman
clutching a bouquet of flowers among the crowd of hundreds started the refrain
as others urged people to "sing up" to send a loud message to the
attackers.
Earlier the
bells of St Ann's Church rang out as silence fell over the packed square. The
minute's silence ended with applause which then melted into song.
One man's
cry of "We love Manchester!" marked the end of the musical tribute,
followed by further applause as emotions ran high in the square.
As the song
ended, people broke into a round of applause (AFP Photo/Oli SCARFF)
|
St Ann's
has become the focal point for a city in mourning since the attack at the
nearby Manchester Arena, where 22 people including children were killed after a
concert by US pop star Ariana Grande on Monday.
With so
many children caught up in the attack, teddy bears, candles and heart-shaped
balloons piled up in the square, along with notes of mourning and many messages
stressing the need for unity within the city.
"MCR
stronger than hate, unwilling to fear" read one. "The City of
Manchester stands united" said another.
"It's
a bereavement for all of us. It's like your own family just passed away, it's
just so, so sad," said 69-year-old Carmel McLaughlan, standing next to a
sea of thousands of flowers.
"There's
just sadness hanging over Manchester at the moment. It's terrible, it's hard to
believe it."
Thursday's
event followed a vigil on Tuesday in the city's Albert Square, attended by
thousands, where a respectful silence was ended with cheers and a chants of
"Manchester! Manchester! Manchester!"
Queen
Elizabeth II on Thursday visited some of the children wounded in the attack,
telling them it had been "very wicked".
Britain's
Queen Elizabeth II made a rare visit to see some of the wounded
children,
describing the attack as "very wicked" (AFP Photo/Peter Byrne)
|
Twenty-three
people remain in critical care while scores more remain in hospital with
injuries sustained when 22-year-old bomber Salman Abedi detonated his explosive
device.
A forensics
team dressed in white suits could be seen combing the steps leading to the
Arena on Thursday, as police guarded a large cordon in place around the site.
Inside the
venue car park, vehicles still stood off-limits to their owners, while outside
more bunches of flowers and cuddly toys lined the pavement.
The wall
has been lined with creations by young children at a local primary school,
including paper flowers, doves and Manchester's worker bee symbol.
"Sorry
about the bomb that had happen and sorry if your family got hurt," wrote a
child, one of many to share their thoughts neatly on a huge paper heart.
"The
unity of Manchester is as bright as a million lights. As One. Thought is with
everybody," wrote a boy called Umar, on a note attached to violet paper
flowers.
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