MI5 failed in Ariana Grande concert bombing that killed 22 inquiry finds

Britain’s top intelligence agency MI5 failed to respond to vital information that could have thwarted a suicide attack on an Ariana Grande concert in north-west England in 2017 that killed 22 people, an investigation found on Thursday. Went.

The inquiry, led by retired judge John Saunders, found the agency failed to act promptly after an MI5 officer admitted receiving intelligence on bomber Salman Abedi.

Abedi’s information was considered a potential national security threat, but the matter was increasingly discussed among the agency’s aides.

Memorial candles are seen during a vigil at St Ann’s Square in Manchester, northwest England, on May 29, 2017, just a week after a bomb attack at the Manchester Arena killed 22 people and injured dozens more. The attack, claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group, targeted concert-goers at the end of a show by US teen pop idol Ariana Grande. (John Super/AFP via Getty Images)

Ariana Grande Manchester concert attack: another sickening terror success

MI5 director general Ken McCallum said in a statement: “Secret intelligence is difficult to gather, but if we had succeeded in the small chance we have, those affected would not have experienced such horrific loss and trauma Will happen.”

McCallum said he was “deeply sorry that MI5 did not prevent the attack.”

Ariana Grande, left, performing “One Love Manchester” on June 4, 2017. At right, a candlelight vigil takes place after the bombings in Manchester, England, on May 29, 2017. (Photo by Getty Images/Dave Hogan for One Love Manchester and St Ann’s Square in Manchester, northwest England on May 29, 2017 respectively.)

22-year-old Abedi was killed after a bag full of explosives was detonated at the entrance of Manchester Arena as thousands of people, including children, were attending the concert.

MI5 Director General Ken McCallum speaking in Manchester, England, following the publication of the third and final report from the public inquiry into the Manchester Arena bombing. (Photo by Danny Lawson / PA Images via Getty Images)

Ariana Grande concert attack: ISIS-inspired brother of Manchester suicide bomber sentenced to 55 years

The bombing, believed to be an Islamic extremist attack, killed 22 people, including an 8-year-old child, while more than 200 were injured.

The incident raised many questions as to how this happened in the first place.

Saunders said he could not say with certainty whether the attack could have been prevented, but noted that his investigation found “there was a real possibility that actionable intelligence could have been obtained, which Because action could have been taken to prevent the attack.”

The inquiry apparently found that had MI5 acted on intelligence at the time, the agency could have intercepted Abedi when he arrived at Manchester airport from Libya four days before the attack.

Pallbearers including the father of Manchester Arena bombing victim Saffy-Rose Rousseau, 8, Andrew and Saffy’s brother Alexander, carry her coffin from the church after the funeral service for Saffy at Manchester Cathedral on July 26, 2017 in Manchester, northwest England Took out (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)

Click here to get the Fox News app

Saunders was unable to provide additional information regarding his investigation due to national security concerns, although the admitted findings may leave family members of victims wanting more.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.