The Morning after the attack on a concert in Manchester, it is unusually quiet in the streets. The people were determined not to be intimidated, says DW Reporter Lars Bevanger.
DW: What have you experienced when you went into town? How is the mood on the ground?
Lars Bevanger: I am now very close to the Arena, at least as close as it shut-off is currently given to the Police. There is a ghostly silence prevails. Normally, you would hear the traffic, but because people are on foot and not with the car on the road, it is much more quiet than usual.
I have spoken with many people, the shock and sadness expressed, but not necessarily anger. You tend to talk about the “Spirit” of Manchester, as they call it, so that it is one of the city together and to work together against terrorism. It is a multicultural city with people from all over the world. There is also a large Muslim population. The people here understand it as an attack on all.
Do you know more about the Background of the attack?
It is currently assumed that it is a terrorist attack with a bomb, and that the alleged assassin was killed. Eyewitnesses also report, in the Lobby of the Arena, where the bomb exploded, nuts, bolts and screws found. This could wreak indicate an explosive device, which was designed as much damage as possible.
You mentioned that a lot of people are walking, instead of driving the car. This has to do with the police presence or the man afraid of?
No, this is because of the police presence. The people here don’t seem nervous. In British television, and also to me, some have said that they want the terrorism to intimidate and to continue a normal life.
A possible terrorist was a danger before this incident, the subject in Manchester?
In British cities the people are accustomed to for several decades, to a certain degree of vigilance, in part due to the IRA terrorism in the 70s and 80s, and even up in the 90s in years. The last Time in Manchester, a bomb exploded, was in the case of an IRA attack in 1996. The people here are so grown up, so to speak, in order to be vigilant. You’ll still see the posters, which is that you should report any suspicious packages to the police. The people seem to have no fear.
The conversation Elizabeth Schumacher led to 10 PM Central European time.