On Monday, May 22, 2017, Manchester experienced its second bombing attack in 21 years. In June 1996, Manchester was bombed by the Provisional Irish Republican Army. Thankfully, there were no fatalities recorded; however, over 200 people were injured in the attack. Unfortunately, this was not the case on. There were 22 fatalities and 59 individuals injured at an Ariana Grande concert that Monday night, for which ISIS has taken claim.
I wish I could say that the news of the Manchester bombing shocked me, but in all honesty, it didn't. Nowadays, hearing about terrorist attacks like this, between 9/11, the Boston Marathon bombing, and most recently the shooting at the Orlando nightclub, Pulse have become more commonplace. It is downright terrifying and absolutely awful that these terrorist attacks keep occurring, especially when it doesn't seem like they will stop anytime soon.
ISIS has continued to grow bolder in their attacks, proving they will attack a city like Manchester at a concert where young children, teenagers, and adults are. The youngest victim killed in the bombing was Saffie-Rose Roussos, an 8-year-old fan who died from injuries sustained at the concert. Other fatalities include 17-year-old Chloe Rutherford, 19-year-old Liam Curry, and 14-year-old Eilidh MacLeod to name a few of the 22 total deaths.
As I heard about each of the fatalities and injuries, I was filled with disgust, hatred and even dread. Although all these emotions were running through me, shock was not one of them. I am not surprised that ISIS made another attack. I am not surprised that it was at a concert with young people. And I will not be surprised if another attack happens again.
Of course, my deepest sympathies go out to all of the victims and their families. Although the news of the recent event does not surprise me, it is devastating nonetheless. To hear that innocent young people were killed because of a bombing by another terrorist group is downright inhuman. Every time I hear about news like this, I feel disheartened in humanity and in goodness. I hope and pray for a day that news and attacks like these are rare, that I do not have to turn my TV on and hear about another attack that has taken innocent lives.
