Manchester, England – On Monday5/22, tragedy struck. 22 people, including children, were killed by a blast that is being considered a suicide bombing. The explosion went off in the foyer of the Manchester Arena, as people were leaving an Ariana Grande concert. A witness recalled the event: “It’s just people on the floor, blood everywhere. It was just like scenes from a horror movie. Just awful.”

Some of the victims lost include: Georgina Callander (18), John Atkinson (26), Olivia Campbell (15), Courtney Boyle (19), Megan Hurley (15), Sorrell Leczkowski (14), Nell Jones (14), and Eilidh MacLeod (14). Also lost was a mother of three, a teenage couple desperately in love, a police officer and a primary school worker. But the most devastating loss is Saffie Rose Roussos, an eight year old girl that attended the concert with her mother and older sister. Along with this, 75 people were hospitalized and 23 are still in critical condition, as of Thursday.

The British Prime Minister, Theresa May, stated in response to the event “We will not let the terrorists win. Our values will prevail.”

In Manchester, many participated in the moment of silence, giving flowers and honoring the victims of this traumatizing event.

The city of Manchester is still thriving, and getting stronger because of this terrible attack. Although these lives were lost, the city has come together to help all affected get through this rough time:

Comments from those in Manchester:

“The one thing that can triumph in the absence of love is love, to put love where it may be absent.”

“So much love to outshine the terrible.”

“I want to show the world we’re still laughing.”