An eerie photograph has emerged showing Manchester Arena suicide bomber Salman Abedi in what appears to be his final moments before carrying out one of Britain's deadliest terrorist attacks.
The image, obtained by the Mirror, depicts the 22-year-old terrorist walking through the city centre just hours before he murdered 22 innocent concertgoers and injured hundreds more at an Ariana Grande performance on May 22, 2017.
The Final Hours
Abedi can be seen wearing a distinctive black jacket and carrying a large rucksack believed to contain the explosive device that would later tear through the crowded foyer of Manchester Arena. His calm demeanour in the photograph provides a chilling contrast to the horror he was about to unleash.
Security services believe this image captures Abedi during his final preparations for the attack that would devastate families across Greater Manchester and shock the nation.
Attack Aftermath and Investigation
The bombing, which targeted predominantly young fans and parents waiting to collect their children, represented the deadliest terrorist incident in the UK since the 2005 London bombings.
In the wake of the atrocity, a massive counter-terrorism investigation was launched, resulting in multiple arrests and convictions of Abedi's associates who had helped plan the attack.
His brother, Hashem Abedi, was subsequently convicted of 22 counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 55 years for his role in helping manufacture the bomb.
Legacy of Loss
The Manchester Arena attack left an indelible scar on the city and the nation, with victims ranging from children as young as eight to parents who had come to collect their excited youngsters from a pop concert.
Survivors and families of the victims continue to campaign for improved security at public venues and better support for those affected by terrorism.
The publication of these final images serves as a sobering reminder of the threat posed by homegrown terrorism and the importance of continued vigilance in protecting public spaces.
