Second Manchester Arena inquiry report published

The second of three official reports into the Manchester Arena attack has been published.

The first report by inquiry chairman Sir John Saunders, was published in June 2021 and focussed on security at the site. It listed a number of failures, including missed opportunities to minimise the impact of the blast. The report also criticised British Transport Police, the arena operators SMG, and the contracted security providers.

The second report focusses on the emergency response.

22 people were killed during the attack in May 2017. The bomber, Salman Abedi died at the scene. His younger brother Hashem Abedi is currently serving a minimum of 55 years in prison for his role in the attack.

The public inquiry ran from September 2020 until March this year and heard evidence from 267 witnesses.

During the inquiry, failings by the emergency and security services were identified including that Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service crews took over two hours to arrive at the scene and only one paramedic was on the scene for the first 40 minutes.

The 1,000-page report released today will "consider the evidence...on the preparedness of each emergency service to respond to a marauding terrorist firearms attack".

The inquiry found that the performance of the emergency services was "far below the standard it should have been” and that one of the victims, John Atkinson, would have survived if he had received the treatment and care he should have.

The report lists failings and mistakes made by the emergency services and says that police, fire and ambulance services failed to work together. Examples of this include that Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) did not arrive at the scene at a time when they could provide the greatest assistance and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) did not send enough paramedics to the scene of the attack and did not use available stretchers to remove casualties in a safe way and did not communicate their intentions clearly to those in the City Room where the attack took place.

Sir John Saunders said: "The heroism shown by very many people that night is striking. Considerable bravery was shown by members of the public who were visiting the building, those who were employed to work at the Victoria Exchange Complex and personnel from the emergency services.

"I have seen the terrible footage from the CCTV and body‑worn video cameras of the scene of devastation in the City Room. The description of that area as being like a “war zone” was used by a number of witnesses. That is an accurate description.

"To enter the City Room or remain there to help victims required great courage. Nothing I say in this Volume of my Report is intended to diminish that fact. I pay tribute to all those who selflessly went to the aid of others."

The third report will cover the security agencies' prevention work.

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