Remembering the 22: how manchester will remember arena victims eight years on

THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE MANCHESTER ARENA TERRORIST ATTACK ON THURSDAY WILL BE MARKED WITH QUIET REFLECTION 06:04, 22 May 2025 Today, Greater Manchester remembers the innocent lives lost in

the Arena bombing eight years on from the tragedy. The terrorist atrocity - said to have left around 800 more victims with physical injuries and psychological trauma - is one of the darkest

chapters in the city's modern history. Suicide bomber Salman Abedi, a 22-year-old Libyan-heritage former student from Fallowfield, killed himself and murdered 22 others when he

detonated a huge homemade device in a backpack at the end of an Ariana Grande concert. The bomb detonated just after 10.30pm on May 22, 2017 - a night of joy, dancing and music turned into a

night of unthinkable horror and grief. It was the deadliest terror attack in the UK since the London bombings of July 7, 2005. Manchester was observing two one-minute silences to mark the

anniversary and honour the victims on Thursday. As in recent years, the focal point for personal remembrance and reflection throughout the day will be the Glade of Light Memorial, near

Manchester Cathedral. The Lord Mayor of Manchester, councillor Carmine Grimshaw, council leader councillor Bev Craig and the council's chief executive, Tom Stannard, will lay floral

tributes on behalf of the city at the memorial in honour of those who lost their lives. Their names will also be read out aloud during services at the cathedral at 9am, 1.10pm and 5.30pm.

_JOHN ATKINSON - ALISON HOWE - COURTNEY BOYLE - LISA LEES - PHILIP TRON - NELL JONES - KELLY BREWSTER - MICHELLE KISS - GEORGINA CALLANDER - ANGELIKA KLIS - OLIVIA CAMPBELL-HARDY - MARCIN

KLIS - LIAM CURRY - SORRELL LECZKOWSKI - CHLOE RUTHERFORD - EILIDH MACLEOD - WENDY FAWELL - ELAINE MCIVER - MARTYN HETT - SAFFIE-ROSE ROUSSOS - MEGAN HURLEY - JANE CAROLYN TWEDDLE_ The

cathedral will remain open throughout the day for anyone wishing to light a candle or pray. Two one-minute silences will take place at Manchester Victoria railway station during the day – at

noon and 22.31pm, the time the bomb exploded eight years ago. Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: "The 22 May 2017 attack was one of the darkest days in

Manchester’s history, but its aftermath also showed the city’s remarkable solidarity and Mancunians’ refusal to give in to those who would seek to divide us. "We will never forget those

who were lost that day, their loved ones, those who were injured and everyone who was affected. We remember them throughout the year but each anniversary is especially poignant.” Crowds are

expected to gather at the railway station for what has become a traditional focus of remembrance on the day, with a shrine to the victims up near to the spot where the bomb was detonated.

Abedi's brother, Hashem Abedi, was extradited from Libya to the UK, where he was sentenced to a record 55-year minimum term before he could be considered for parole in 2020 for 22

counts of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life. Police are still hunting official suspects alleged to have helped or encouraged the suicide

bomber and his jailed accomplice brother to carry out the Islamic State-inspired atrocity. They include their parents, Ramadan Abedi and Samia Tabbal. A warrant for the arrest of the elder

Abedi brother, Ismail Abedi, also remains in place for failing to appear before the long-running public inquiry into the atrocity. They are believed to be in Libya. Article continues below

The Manchester Arena Public Inquiry ended with severe criticism for MI5 and other agencies tasked with preventing or handling terror attacks. The response of the emergency services on the

night was also roundly criticised. The Greater Manchester Resilience Hub - set up in response to the arena bombing to coordinate care and support - is available for anyone who needs it here.

The Glade of Light was unveiled between Manchester Cathedral and Chetham's School of Music in 2022 to act as a focal point for remembrance in the city. At Manchester Victoria, an area

near to Soldiers' Gate within the station has become a shrine for reflection and personal tributes.