UK: 5 people stabbed in Manchester shopping mall

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) – British counter-terrorism officers have launched an investigation after five people were stabbed in a shopping mall in Manchester on Friday.

The incident took place around midday and a 40-year-old man were taken into custody, Greater Manchester Police said in a statement.

"We can confirm that five people have been stabbed and taken to hospital,” police said.

The statement added: "In these early stages, we are keeping an open mind about the motivation of this terrible incident and the circumstances as we know them.

"Given the location of the incident and its nature, officers from Counter Terrorism Police North West are leading the investigation as we determine the circumstances."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter that he was “shocked by the incident in Manchester and my thoughts are with the injured and all those affected.”

The investigation continues.