"The bomb, detonated by Salman Abedi, resulted in 23 deaths (including Abedi) and over 1,000 injuries. The damage caused by the bomb was primarily due to the nature of the explosive device, which was a homemade improvised explosive device (IED) filled with shrapnel. Here’s a breakdown of the key evidence of bomb damage:
1. Shrapnel Impact
The IED was packed with shrapnel, including nuts, bolts, and metal fragments, which were designed to inflict maximum casualties and spread damage over a wide area. When the bomb detonated, these fragments acted like deadly projectiles, causing horrific injuries to those in the immediate vicinity and embedding themselves in walls, ceilings, and other structures.
Physical injuries: Autopsy reports revealed that many victims died from shrapnel wounds, primarily to vital organs like the head, neck, and torso.
Building damage: The shrapnel also damaged walls, doors, and various structures within the foyer area of the arena where the bomb was detonated. Reports show that the shrapnel tore through ceilings and walls.
2. Structural Damage
The explosion took place in the foyer of the Manchester Arena, an enclosed space between the main arena and Victoria railway station. The blast caused significant structural damage to this area, including:
Blast damage to the foyer area: The force of the explosion shattered glass windows and doors, and caused structural deformation to metal fixtures and parts of the ceiling.
Debris scattering: A significant amount of debris, including fragments of the bomb and surrounding material, was scattered across the scene. This was documented in photos taken after the explosion and in forensic investigations.
3. Forensic Evidence
Forensic experts conducted a thorough examination of the bomb site and recovered several pieces of evidence that detailed the nature of the bomb and the extent of the damage:
Remains of the bomb: Pieces of the backpack used to carry the device, the detonator, and traces of the explosive chemicals were found at the scene. The remains helped authorities reconstruct the bomb’s design and method of detonation.
Blast radius mapping: Investigators used the spread of shrapnel and damage patterns to calculate the power and radius of the explosion. This helped them understand how far the force of the blast reached and where the greatest concentration of damage occurred.
4. Witness Accounts and CCTV Footage
Witnesses: Survivors described the scene as chaotic, with broken glass, shrapnel embedded in walls, and people suffering from severe injuries caused by the flying metal fragments. Many also reported hearing a loud explosion followed by the sight of smoke, debris, and panic.
CCTV footage: CCTV cameras captured the moments leading up to the explosion and the immediate aftermath. The footage shows the large-scale damage to the foyer area, the chaos following the blast, and the extent of the injuries sustained by concert-goers.
5. Photos and Videos
Several images and videos taken by both security cameras and witnesses after the attack show the extensive damage to the foyer area. Shattered glass, damaged walls, and large amounts of debris litter the scene. Some of these images were later used as evidence in the public inquiry into the attack.
6. Impact on Transportation and Surrounding Area
The bomb detonated near the arena’s connection to Manchester Victoria railway station. The explosion caused damage to part of the station, leading to its closure for several days. The transport network in the surrounding area was disrupted, and structural assessments had to be conducted to ensure the safety of the public before the station could reopen.
7. Inquiry and Reconstruction
During the public inquiry into the attack, forensic and blast experts provided detailed testimony about the bomb’s design and the damage it caused. Their analysis concluded that the device was highly lethal due to the use of shrapnel and the manner in which it was detonated in a confined space. Experts reconstructed the bomb’s impact and provided detailed diagrams showing how the explosion caused the widespread injuries and destruction.
The evidence of damage from the 2017 Manchester bombing is extensive, including physical damage to the arena, forensic findings, witness testimony, and recorded footage. The attack left a profound impact on the physical structure of the arena and the surrounding area, as well as the survivors and families of the victims."
