In the aftermath of the terrorist attack at Manchester Arena that left 22 people dead and dozens other wounded, British Prime Minister Teresa May denounced the suicide bombing as a “sickening attack” because it so clearly targeted children and young adults “who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives.”
As ABC News reported, officials now believe that at least 12 children under the age of 16 are amongst the dead. On Tuesday, 8-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos was identified as one of the victims. According to People, the girl attended the Ariana Grande concert with her mother and older sister, who are being treated for shrapnel injuries at separate hospitals. Worried friends pleaded on social media for help finding the child after she was separated from her family to no avail.
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Today, Roussous is being remembered by her classmates and neighbors as a “beautiful little girl” who was “loved by everyone.” In a statement released by Tarleton Community Primary School, where Roussous was a student, headteacher Chris Upton described the child as “quiet and unassuming with a creative flair.”
“News of Saffie’s death in this appalling attack has come as a tremendous shock to all of us and I would like to send our deepest condolences to all of her family and friends,” said Upton. “The thought that anyone could go out to a concert and not come home is heartbreaking.”
“Our focus is now on helping pupils and staff cope with this shocking news and we have called in specialist support from Lancashire County Council to help us do that,” he continued. “We are a tight-knit school and wider community and will give each other the support that we need at this difficult time.”
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