Seychellois student Richard Mussard speaks about the Manchester Arena bomb attack |31 May 2017

‘We refused to show fear and rather responded by showing how united we are’

Last week’s Manchester bomb attack left everyone in shock. On May 22, 2017, a suicide bombing was carried out at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, following a concert by American singer Ariana Grande.

The attacker was identified as Salman Ramadan Abedi, a 22-year-old British Muslim who detonated a shrapnel-laden improvised explosive device at the exit of the arena after the event. Twenty-three adults and children, including Abedi, were killed and 116 were injured, some critically.

Having a close link to the United Kingdom, our government and its leaders immediately sent sympathy messages to the British government.

Seychelles NATION has contacted Richard Mussard, one of the Seychellois students in Manchester, and he has shared his experience with us and also talked about the solidarity among the inhabitants of Manchester to deal against the terror threat.

Seychelles NATION: How many students are studying in Manchester? What are you studying and since when?

Richard Mussard: On a personal basis I know three other students but in total I think there are seven students. I have been studying medicine at The University of Manchester since September 2016.

Seychelles NATION: Where were you guys when the attack happened?

Richard Mussard:  At the time of the bombing I was actually asleep because I had an exam the following day, so I only found out about it upon waking up. Since we’re in exam period right now I think most students were either asleep or working at home or at the library.

Seychelles NATION: How did you guys feel?

Richard Mussard:  When I woke up, I had a flurry of notifications from people checking if I was okay so I was initially confused. After finding out what happened I felt so sad for the victims, their families and the city as a whole. I have only been here for a couple of months but there is a real sense of belonging here in Manchester so I was also really upset that someone could commit such an atrocious act and to make things worse it was at an event attended by many teenagers and children. I have also been to the venue for a previous event a couple of months prior, so seeing terrorism happen somewhere you’re familiar with makes it even more upsetting.

Seychelles NATION: We saw a big support coming from the community there, please share your experience.

Richard Mussard: The emergency services here did a fantastic job of mobilising and helping the people who were at risk. There is indeed a very powerful sense of togetherness here in Manchester. Everyone did what they could and many people offered free car rides or shelter for those who needed them. Even the homeless people were doing their best to help. The following day a vigil was held in Albert Square (a square in the city centre) in remembrance of the victims. There was a massive crowd as we refuse to show fear and rather respond by showing how we are united as a city rather than be infected by hate. The Queen also flew up to Manchester to visit the victims who were hospitalised at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, which is a hospital next to The University of Manchester.

Seychelles NATION: How are things now?

Richard Mussard: Since the attack there has been a heavier presence of police officers and armed guard. The terror level was raised to critical after the attack and although everyone was trying to get back to normalcy, the thought of another attack always lingers at the back of your mind. We’ve seen a huge amount of support and love from all over the world which is a really great thing to see and ultimately send a message to terrorists that we will not be phased. The attacker has also since been identified. A couple of arrests have been made and on Wednesday one of the shopping malls was evacuated as a precautionary measure, everyone is just really on high alert.

Terror, vandalism or terrorism has never been a way to act. Nowadays an attack happens in a small part of the world, and the whole world is affected. Let us all work for the betterment of this world and be more loving and tolerant.