Reactions to the Manchester Arena bombing

The reactions to the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing include the responses by political and religious leaders, media and the general public, both within the United Kingdom where the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing took place, other nations and international organizations.

Non-governmental actions

Practical responses

Manchester Arena, where the incident took place, issued a statement offering condolences to the people that were affected, calling the attack a "senseless tragedy". As a result, scheduled concerts in the venue later in the same week for band Take That were postponed.

Entertainment venues across the country, including The O2 Arena in London, increased their security measures.

Facebook activated its "Safety Check" feature for the affected area following the incident, allowing users to mark themselves as "safe", to notify family and friends.

Ariana Grande's reaction

Ariana Grande, whose concert had ended shortly before the explosion, posted on her official Twitter account: "Broken. From the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words." receiving over 900,000 retweets in less than 24 hours. Her management team added that they "mourn the lives of children and loved ones taken by this cowardly act".

As a result of the bombing, Grande suspended her international Dangerous Woman Tour and returned home via jet to Florida, U.S.

Popular reactions

Political columnist Katie Hopkins suggested the need for a "final solution", which was interpreted as calling for ethnic cleansing of the UK's Muslim population. She later wrote an article slaming politicians including the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, for using a "false narrative" to "stand up to terror" and made reference to the backlash she received for her earlier comments.

James Corden made a heartfelt statement on his talk show, The Late Late Show with James Corden, expressing that people will "go to bed holding our little ones tighter" after the attacks. Fellow talk show host Ellen Degeneres also tweeted, "This story is so sad and so scary. Sending all my love to Manchester".

Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, both of whom are former Presidents of the United States, said that "Americans will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of the UK" and "senseless & vicious acts of terror never drive us apart".

Various celebrities expressed their condolences for the bombing, including Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Gary Lineker, Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Seacrest, and Victoria Beckham.

British Muslim groups, such as the Muslim Council of Britain and Ahmadi Muslims UK condemned the attack and expressed their condolences.

Music industry

Many within the music industry showed their support for Grande and the victims of the attack. Singer-songwriter Katy Perry condemned the bombing, stating she was "broken hearted" for everyone involved, and for "the state of this world". Canadian hip-hop artist Drake offered condolences to the victims of the bombing, adding that it was a "real fear" that he had while on his recent concert tour. American rapper Nicki Minaj, who had previously collaborated with Grande on her single Side to Side, said that her "head hurts" after hearing about the attack. Further messages of condolence came from Selena Gomez, Shawn Mendes, Kim Kardashian West, Taylor Swift, Cher, Harry Styles, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Niall Horan, Martin Garrix, Justin Bieber, Khloe Kardashian, Bruno Mars, Jennifer Lopez, John Legend, Lorde, Lights, Miley Cyrus, Ella Henderson, Trisha Paytas, Nathan Sykes, and many others.

Governmental responses

United Kingdom

The Prime Minister, Theresa May, called the incident an "appalling terrorist attack" and chaired a meeting of COBRA the next morning, while Queen Elizabeth II expressed her "deepest sympathy" to those affected by this "dreadful event". Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn called it a "terrible incident", stating that his "thoughts are with all those affected and our brilliant emergency services." Campaigning for the general election was suspended by all political parties.

In the evening of the day after the bombing, Theresa May announced that the UK's threat level has been raised to "critical". As a result, British armed forces will be deployed to support police forces at key locations in the UK.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, called the incident "an evil act". Burnham paid tribute to locals and businesses who had supported the victims. He later announced a vigil to be held in Albert Square the following evening. The morning after the attack, London's mayor Sadiq Khan stated that his city "stands united with the great city of Manchester today," and later stated that "Londoners will see more police on our streets today."

The Muslim Council of Britain strongly condemned the attack.

Commonwealth of Nations

• Commonwealth of Nations Secretary-General Patricia Scotland condemned "in the strongest terms this attack on teenagers and young children who had simply ventured out to enjoy an evening of music." She went on to praise first responders and others who offered assistance to the victims.

Supranational bodies

• European Union: European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker expressed "great sadness and profound shock", adding that "once again, terrorism has sought to instil fear where there should be joy".
• United Nations: Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, offered his "profound sympathy" and condolences to the victims and their family, and that he "hopes that those who are responsible for this despicable attack will be swiftly found and bought to justice".
• The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Yousef Al-Othaimeen condemned "in the strongest term" the attack in Manchester and expressed "his anguish over the death of these innocent people and injuring many others".

Countries

• Argentina: President Mauricio Macri tweeted, "My solidarity with the British people, in particular the families of the victims of the attack at Manchester Arena. We condemn profoundly all manner of terrorism and violence."
• Armenia: President Serzh Sargsyan said "Armenia strongly condemns such inhumane acts and is determined to continue throught the joint efforts figtht against violence and terror".
• Australia: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull condemned the attacks in a spoken statement shortly after the attack and expressed solidarity. He expressed disgust and posited that it was "deliberately directed at teenagers".
• Azerbaijan: Template:Source needs translation
• Belgium: Template:Source needs translation
• Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered "deepest condolences" on behalf of all Canadians to the families and friends of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to everyone who was injured. He also vowed to "continue to counter such senseless acts and to fight terrorism in its many forms" and to "assist British authorities in bringing those responsible to justice."
• China: President Xi Jinping offered condolences to the Queen, stating, "The Chinese people are firmly standing together with the British people at this difficult time".
• Finland: President Sauli Niinistö Terrorist attack full of young people to a concert venue tells the ruthless inhumanity. I'll be on behalf of all Finnish part of the grief of the victims' relatives and loved ones. Finland condemns all forms of terrorism sharply.
• France: President Emmanuel Macron I address my thoughts to the British people, the victims and their loved ones. We are leading the fight against terrorism together.
• Germany: Template:Source needs translation
• Greece: Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras condemned the attacks, following with, "We express our solidarity with the British people".
• Hungary: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated, "Europe is suffering repeated attacks, which represent a major shock to us all, and accordingly we must do everything possible to restore the security of the continent". He went on to offer support and condolences.
• Iceland: Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson condemned the attack, stating "Nothing can explain the will to attack innocent people, children, teenagers and their parents, as was so cruelly done in Manchester last night. No words can express the extent of the consequences." The Icelandic President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson sent an official letter of condolence to the Queen.
• India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attacks and offered condolences.
• Iran: Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and compared it to an attack on Mirjaveh, stating, "It is advisable that all the countries that have been victims of the extremist ideology and Takfiri terrorism get united and confront it in a serious, sincere and purposeful manner."
• Ireland: Taoiseach Enda Kenny condemned the attack and said it was "an attack on innocence and happiness".
• Iraqi Kurdistan: Prime Minister of Kurdistan (Iraqi Kurdistan) Nechirvan Barzani issued a statement condemning the bombing ando stated “I strongly condemn the terrorist attack which targeted an art concert in the city of Manchester in Britain last night, in which some civilians were killed and injured. I extend my condolences to the families of the victims, the British nation and government. I stand by you and share your grievances. I wish a quick recovery to the wounded,”
• Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered condolences and stated, "Terrorism is a global threat and it is incumbent on the enlightened countries to defeat it everywhere."
• Japan: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in a letter to PM Theresa May, offered condolences and condemned the attacks, adding, "Peaceful life and young people with great future ahead became the target of the terrorist attack. I cannot help but feel strong resentment. In this difficult time, I wish to express my heartfelt solidarity."
• Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta condemned the attack, adding that his thoughts and prayers were with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Theresa May after the incident. He also offered 'any help the country could give', adding that, 'Kenya knows what it is like to suffer a tragedy such as this' in reference to the country's history of terrorist attacks.
• Kuwait: His Highness the Amir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent two cables of condolences to Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Theresa May on the victims of the horrific Manchester explosion, offering sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes of swift recovery for the wounded, rejecting such terrorist acts targeting innocents. Two other cables of similar sentiments were sent by His Highness Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the Prime Minister.
• Malaysia: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak condemned the "barbaric and cowardly attack" and offered condolences. He stated, "At this time of heartbreak, Malaysia stands united with Britain. We must be firm, determined and ready to confront terror swiftly and decisively wherever and whenever it manifests itself."
• Malta: Prime Minister Joseph Muscat called the bombing a "vicious attack" and expressed solidarity with the victims. The Maltese Foreign Office stated it was in contact with a number of Maltese citizens who were at the concert, but none of them were injured in the attack.
• The Netherlands: The following morning, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands offered condolences to the victims and families, adding, "Our thoughts are also with those who are anxiously awaiting news about the fate of their loved ones."
• Norway: Within an hour of the news, PM Erna Solberg condemned the "terrible and meaningless attack" and offered condolences.
• Pakistan: Shortly after the incident, the Foreign Office condemned the attacks. Hours later, Pakistan's PM Nawaz Sharif stated in a tweet that, "elimination of terrorism requires concerted efforts" and "such acts targeted towards innocent people is highly condemnable".
• Palestine: President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the attack and the loss of life, expressing condolences to Prime Minister Theresa May, the families of the affected, and the British people.
• Philippines: President Rodrigo Duterte offered his "deepest sympathies and concern to the families of the dead and wounded in the Manchester incident; as well as appreciation for the excellent handling by police/security forces. We are in solidarity with the United Kingdom in addressing and combating violent extremism."
• Romania: President Klaus Iohannis Outraged and saddened by the terrible news from Manchester. Our thoughts go to the victims and their loved ones. Solidarity with UK.
• Russia: The President of Russia Vladimir Putin condemned the attack, calling it a "cynical and inhuman crime", and offered his condolences to the British Prime Minister Theresa May.
• Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed "strong condemnation" of the attack. It also "reaffirmed the Kingdom's solidarity with the United Kingdom, underscoring the importance of joining international efforts to eradicate the scourge of terrorism and extremism."
• Singapore: Singapore condemned the attack, and expressed consolences. It added that "the ministry and the Singapore High Commission in London will work closely with the Manchester Police to monitor the situation."
• Spain: The Spanish government condemned the attack, describing it as "atrocious and cowardly".
• Sri Lanka: The Sri Lankan government condemned the attack, and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mahishini Colonne tweeted, "Saddened by the attack in #Manchester. #SriLanka condemns this heinous act. Our thoughts n prayers are wt all those affected."
• Turkey: The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the attack the following morning, and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu posted, "I condemn the terrorist attack in Manchester. Sincere condolences to the British Government and people."
• United States: The President of the United States Donald Trump condemned the attack, and tweeted "We stand in absolute solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom."
• Vatican: Pope Francis expressed that he was "deeply saddened" by the "injury and tragic loss of life", and invoked "God's blessings of peace, healing, and strength upon the nation."
• Vietnam: Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has sent a message of condolence to his UK counterpart Theresa May over the explosion in Manchester on May 22 that caused many deaths and injuries.

ISIL-related responses

• ISIL: The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant made an unconfirmed claim of responsibility for the attack, describing the attacker as "a soldier of the Khilafah".