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Floral tributes laid at Manchester Victoria railway station for the victims of the terrorist bomb attack on the adjacent Manchester Arena. The signs read: “We will remember you. To the people of Manchester, you are amazing. Thank You”

At approximately 10.30pm on 22 May 2017 a suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device, packed with nuts and bolts to act as shrapnel, in the foyer area of the Manchester Arena whilst concert-goers were leaving a concert by American singer, Ariana Grande. Not counting the attacker, Twenty-two people, adults and children, were killed, in the explosion and many more were injured, some critically. Greater Manchester Police declared the incident a terrorist attack and suicide bombing. It was the deadliest attack in the United Kingdom since the 7 July 2005 London bombings.

The Arena is built above Manchester Victoria railway station and the explosion caused structural damage to the station, which remained closed until police investigation work was completed and the structural damage had been assessed and repaired, resulting in significant disruption to train and tram services.

The station reopened to traffic on 30 May 2017 Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling were among those to lay wreaths at a temporary memorial at the station. In the days following, the memorial grew as member of the public left more flowers, balloons and soft toys. Gerald England’s photo (SJ8498 : We will remember you) taken later in the day showed how the memorial had grown in just a few hours. By the time this photograph was taken, five days later, the tributes had expanded so far that the Soldiers’ Gate is now completely obscured.