Manchester Arena killer Salman Abedi 'watched bomb-making videos on YouTube'

Salman Abedi: Manchester Arena attacker 'watched bomb-making tutorials on YouTube'

The Manchester Arena suicide bomber reportedly used tutorial videos from YouTube to help build the device he used to kill 22 people.

Salman Abedi viewed clips on the Google video platform about how the manufacture of improved explosives, it is understood.

He downloaded material from other websites about the chemical used in the bomb that detonated after an Ariana Grande pop concert last month.

According to The Times, the information about the device was accessed on a range of online sources – including the dark web.

Salman Abedi on the night he carried out the Manchester Arena terror attack
PA

A source with knowledge of the police investigation told the newspaper the videos contained instructions on how to use triacetone triperoxide (TATP).

This is the main chemical used in Abedi’s device.

Information the killer found on YouTube was one part of a wider online picture, it is understood.

Following the revelation, a spokesman for the online video platform said it employs thousands of people to counter abuse on its website.

He added that bomb-making videos are “quickly” removed, and are not allowed to be published on the platform.

Manchester Arena explosion

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“We employ thousands of people to counter abuse of our platform and are working with government, law enforcement and civil society groups to tackle the problem of violent extremism online,” he said.

Abedi's device was partially constructed in a tower block in north Manchester before he moved to a rented innercity flat to complete it.

After the horrifying attack, a 22-minute clip reportedly emerged on YouTube and Facebook named: "Jihadi ideas for lone lions.”

It provided instructions on how to make the same type of explosive used by Abedi.

The video, produced a Gaza-based group that supports Isis, is said to have shown a chemist making the explosive from scratch using household items.

It has since been taken down.

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