Lena Abuelfailat comes from Manchester, UK, where the Ariana Grande terror attack took place last week leaving 22 people dead and several others injured.
Abuelfailat was devastated when she heard about the attack. She told Coconuts, “You never expect for this to happen in your hometown. It’s a sad time. All over the world really.”
She heard that people were releasing 22 pink balloons wherever they were in the world, as a tribute to the 22 victims of the attack. They are using pink balloons because similar ones were released from the rafters at the Manchester Arena concert, just before the attack. It was reported that several young girls were clutching the pink balloons as the blast happened.
Abuelfailat, who works in education recruitment, wanted to do the tribute in Bangkok. She collected the balloons yesterday afternoon and released them in Chatuchak Park at about 5pm.
“It’s a way for people to show solidarity, and as tragic as this event has been, it’s brought people closer together.”
As she let the balloons go, she said “To those that lost their lives in Manchester last week, rest in peace. You’ll never be forgotten. Love from Bangkok.”
