Loved ones of the 22 victims who were killed in the Manchester bombing lay floral tributes in the city centre today as they marked the fourth anniversary of the attack.
Mourners travelled to Manchester Victoria station on Saturday to remember the 22 innocent people who were killed in the Manchester Arena terror atrocity in May 2017.
Heartbreaking photographs showed loved ones of the victims laying floral tributes, balloons and pictures of bees, a symbol of defiance following the tragedy, on the train platform.
Amid Covid-19 restrictions, the leaving of floral arrangements or other tributes anywhere in the city centre has reportedly been discouraged this year.
Mourners travelled to Manchester Victoria station on Saturday (pictured) to remember the 22 innocent people who were killed in the Manchester Arena terror atrocity in May 2017
One woman appeared teary-eyed (above) as she played a bouquet of pink flowers in the train station on Saturday morning, while another man was seen kneeling among the tributes
One woman appeared teary-eyed as she played a bouquet of pink flowers in the train station on Saturday morning, while another man was seen kneeling among the tributes.
Other heartfelt items that were left to remember the victims who travelled to watch an Ariana Grande concert but never returned home included cards and teddy bears.
While mass gathering remain restricted amid Covid-19 restrictions, the fourth anniversary of the tragedy is being marked with acts of remembrance at 9am and 4.30pm prayer services at Manchester Cathedral.
The names of the 22 innocent people who lost their lives will be read out, while the services will be streamed on Manchester Cathedral’s Facebook, according to Manchester Evening News.
At 10.30pm, the exact time that the bomb went off on this day in 2017, bells at the cathedral and in St Ann’s Church will ring out.
Figen Murray, the mother of 29-year-old Arena victim Martyn Hett, took to Twitter to mark the fourth anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack.
Heartbreaking photographs showed loved ones of the victims laying floral tributes, balloons and pictures of bees, a symbol of defiance following the tragedy, on the train platform
On Friday, she wrote: ‘Tomorrow is the fourth anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack where we lost 22 amazing people but tomorrow also marks the anniversary of Fusilier Lee Rigby who was murdered in 2013. Thinking about his family as well.’
Before adding on Saturday morning: ‘I could just think about my own grief but there are so many people in pain today including Lee’s family. If we don’t have compassion and love for others then humanity will not ever be in good shape.’
Starting from next year, commemorations for the tragedy will take place at the new Glade of Light memorial, which is due to be completed by the end of this year.
The memorial is designed to be a tranquil garden space, with a planting scheme planned to ensure year-round colour and reflect the changing seasons. It will also have a white stone ring which will carry the names of the 22 victims.
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Meanwhile, the ongoing inquiry into the Manchester Arena attack was paused at 10.31 on Thursday, and is not sitting today, to remember those who died.
Salman Abedi, 22, detonated a home-made shrapnel packed bomb at the end of an Ariana Grande concert at the arena on May 22 2017, killing 22 bystanders and injuring hundreds more.
Priti Patel took to Twitter on Saturday to tribute to the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing, writing: ‘On the fourth anniversary of the attack at the Manchester Arena, my thoughts and prayers are with the 22 people who lost their lives, their loved ones and all those that have been affected by the tragic event.
‘I’m always in awe of how the people of Manchester came together in the wake of the attack & continue to provide unwavering support to their community.
Other heartfelt items that were left to remember the victims who travelled to watch an Ariana Grande concert but never returned home included cards and teddy bears
‘This includes @FigenMurray’s work, the Martyn’s Law campaign and others who have campaigned tirelessly for a Protect Duty.
‘Anniversaries can be a challenging time for those who have experienced or been affected by terrorism, whether at home or abroad.
‘People can be affected in more ways than many of us could ever imagine and it is vital they get the support and advice they need.
‘Throughout the Manchester Arena Inquiry, the NHS Greater Manchester Resilience Hub is providing support for anyone directly affected by the incident including family members and first responders.’
Meanwhile chief executive of Manchester City Council said: ‘Four years may have passed but we know that for many the pain of what happened on 22 May 2017 has not diminished. We will always remember those who were killed, as well as those left with physical and mental injuries.
‘Of course, anniversaries have a particular resonance but we don’t just remember them one day every year and it is heartening that good progress is being made on the city’s permanent memorial.’
