World leaders have expressed their distress and sympathy for those involved in the suspected terrorist attack in Manchester.
In parliament, Malcolm Turnbull said the bombing will be “the deadliest attack in the United Kingdom” since the London bombings in 2005.
“This attack is especially vile, especially criminal, especially horrific, because it appears to have been deliberately directed at teenagers. This is an attack on innocence.
Surely, there is no crime more reprehensible than the murder of children. This is a direct and brutal attack on young people everywhere, on freedom everywhere.”
“Too often we stand in this chamber offering our sympathy and support … once again Australia stands with Britain in resolute solidarity. Partners in freedom’s cause. Our nations will never give into terror,” he said.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten expressed his empathy for the parents of what was an overwhelmingly young audience.
The Chinese President Xi Jinping has also reportedly expressed his “sincere condolences” to the Queen for those killed and injured in Manchester and their families.
“The Chinese people are firmly standing together with the British people at this difficult time,” Xi told the Queen, according to the country’s state broadcaster.
Other leaders tweeted their support, including Manchester’s mayor who continued to tweet avenues for help throughout the mayhem.
Mayors of other cities recently affected by devastating attacks on innocent people also weighed in with their support, including Orlando and Paris.
“Tonight Paris stands with Manchester. My thoughts go to the victims, their families, and to the responders at the scene,” said Ms Hidalgo.
The reason for the attack is still unknown, but authorities in the UK are treating it as a terrorist attack.
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