Manchester Arena explosion: Suicide bomber kills 22 and injures 59 in terror attack at Ariana Grande gig

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Twenty two people, including children, are dead and 59 are injured after a suicide bomber carried out a terror attack at Manchester Arena.

Hundreds of people fled the packed arena screaming after hearing 'loud bangs' at the end of an Ariana Grande concert last night.

Many of the gig goers were young female fans of primary school age, and police have confirmed the death toll includes children.

This morning, panicked parents were searching for their missing kids after the attacker detonated an IED at the venue.

Pictures of children and teens who attended the concert were being circulated on social media in a desperate bid to track them down.

It came as Greater Manchester Police chief constable Ian Hopkins revealed the death toll had risen from 19 to 22.

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Announcing the devastating news, he said: "What I can confirm is that there are children among the deceased."

He added: "This has been the most horrific incident we have had to face in Greater Manchester and one we all hoped we would never see.

"Families and many young people were out to enjoy a concert at the Manchester Arena and have lost their lives.

"Our thoughts are with those 22 victims that we now know have died, the 59 people who have been injured and their loved ones.

"We continue to do all we can to support them."

Were you involved in the explosion? Email [email protected]

'This is a major incident targeted at our city': Politicians respond to Manchester Arena explosion

Mr Hopkins said a "fast-moving investigation" had established the attack was conducted by one man, who died at the scene.

However, he said detectives are currently working to establish if he was "was acting alone or as part of a network".

"The attacker, I can confirm, died at the arena," said Mr Hopkins

"We believe the attacker was carrying an improvised explosive device which he detonated, causing this atrocity."

This morning, the first victim of the terror attack was named as teenager and Ariana superfan, Georgina Bethany Callander.

Georgina, who was pictured with her idol two years ago, is believed to be among those killed in the deadly explosion.

She had tweeted the US pop singer on Sunday, the day before the blast, writing: “SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU TOMORROW.”

Actor Sean Maguire took to Twitter to pay his respects to the "young and sweet" teen, writing: "Just met this girl in April.

"She was killed last night in Manchester. My love to her and all the families of the victims."

Last night, young sobbing girls wearing pink Ariana Grande t-shirts were seen clutching their parents outside the concert as armed police and helicopters rushed to the scene.

One witness reported being blown off his feet just after the lights came up at around 10.40pm, while others said they saw smoke and heard an explosion near the foyer area, before seeing people covered in blood.

There are unconfirmed reports that a number of people suffered "shrapnel type injuries" in the terrifying incident.

Speaking overnight, witness Jenny Brewster told of the horrifying moment the bomb went off at the 21,000-capacity arena

She said: "As I turned around 'boom' and a man said 'run!'. We went for the car, you could smell the burning - we could see the police running."

Prime Minister Theresea May released a statement in the early hours, saying: "We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by police as an appalling terrorist attack.

"All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected."

Amber Rudd, meanwhile, called the blast a "barbaric attack". The Home Secretary said the public should remain 'alert but not alarmed'.

Witness Gary Walker, from Leeds, was in the foyer waiting to pick up his two daughters who were at the concert.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I was waiting for the kids to come out. We heard the last song, and quite a few people were flooding out and then suddenly there was a massive flash and then a bang, smoke.

“I felt a bit of pain in my foot and my leg. My wife said, ‘I need to lie down’. I lay her down, she’d got a stomach wound and possibly a broken leg.

“I was about three metres from the actual explosion. I am surprised I got away so lightly.”

Another man who took his daughter to the gig said: “Ariana said: ‘Bye bye Manchester!’ The lights came on then there was two big noises and people started running and shouting.

“We got in a lift to go up to the next floor to the exits.

“When the doors opened I saw blood on the floor and two injured people. Blood all over their faces. A lot of people were in shock.”

A nurse at the scene told reporters they were expecting "mass casualties" and said there was heavy security at all hospitals.

One man at Wythenshawe A&E department told Manchester Evening News he had witnessed scenes of absolute ‘chaos’ in the major trauma unit.

He said there were scores of people waiting in the hospital earlier but they’d all been asked to leave to make way for serious emergencies.

Police carried out a "controlled explosion" in Cathedral Gardens shortly after the incident - but it later turned out to be 'abandoned clothing' that had been left behind.

David Richardson, who was at the gig with his daughter Emily, 13 said: “The lights came on after the gig and people were starting to leave. As I turned to the left there was an explosion.

"It was about 40ft behind us near one of the exits. We just thought it was people messing about then it happened again. Another explosion sounded.

“Then we saw the smoke. Everyone just fled. Some people were injured. We saw blood on people when we got outside. People were just running all over the place.

“People have said it was a speaker or balloons but it wasn’t. It was explosions.”

Another witness Andy Holey, whose wife and daughter were at the concert, told BBC News that the explosion was near to a ticket office, and he was blown off his feet when it happened.

He said he saw several bodies around him when he came to.

Manchester Arena received backlash online this evening after releasing a statement stating the explosions happened outside the venue.

In the online statement at 1am, the venue tweeted: "We can confirm there was an incident as people were leaving the Ariana Grande show last night.

"The incident took place outside the venue in a public space.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims."

A witness, going only by the name Sarah, said: “I heard the explosion. Everyone was shoving and pushing. There were so many little kids in there. I couldn’t get out and there were crowds of people blocking everywhere.

“By the time I got outside there were so many people crying and standing in the road. It was absolute chaos. I saw people covered in blood. I have never been in a situation like this before.”

Oliver Jones, 17, who was at the concert with his 19-year-old sister, said: “I was in the toilet and heard a loud bang just after the concert had finished and people had started to leave.

“The bang echoed around the foyer of the arena and people started to run.

“I seen people running and screaming towards one direction and then many were turning around to run back the other way.

“Security was running out as well as the fans and concert goers.

“[There were] reports of blood and people injured. In so much shock and panic. You see this on the news all the time and never expect it to happen to you. I just had to run and make sure me and my sister were safe.”

Concert-goers shared horrifying photos of their injuries after they managed to escape the chaos - which some initially said they had been told was caused by a speaker explosion or a balloon popping.

Abby Mullen shared snaps of her bag and her bloodied hair after she returned home.

Manchester MP Lucy Powell, whose constituency includes the arena, also released a statement on the blast

She said: "Its absolutely horrific, especially that so many young people are involved.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham also shared his condolences on Twitter, writing: "My heart goes out to families who have lost loved ones, my admiration to our brave emergency services. A terrible night for our great city"

National Rail confirmed just before 2am that nearby Manchester Victoria station would be closed all day Tuesday.

"Our hearts go out to all the families who have been affected by this terrible incident."

Eyewitness Sasina Akhtar said: "She did her last song, we were in the lower tier and there was an explosion behind us at the back of the arena. We saw young girls with blood on them, everyone was screaming and people were running. There was lots of smoke.”

GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins held a press conference just before 3am today, where he said that 19 people are confirmed dead and 50 others injured. Both figures have since increased.

He confirmed it was being treated as a terrorist incident and said casualties are being treated at six hospitals across Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police released a statement earlier that said: "Just before 10.35pm on Monday, May 22, 2017, police were called to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena.

"19 people have been confirmed dead, with around 50 others injured.

"This is currently being treated as a terrorist incident until police know otherwise."

British Transport Police said in a statement: "Officers are at Manchester Arena following reports of an explosion within the foyer area of the stadium at 10.30pm this evening.

"Emergency services are at the scene and we are working to establish more information regarding the explosion and will provide further updates as soon as possible."

North West Ambulance Service confirmed paramedics took 59 people to hospital, while there were also many walking wounded that admitted themselves.

One Twitter user, Riona, said: "Just got out of Manchester arena after seeing Ariana perform. There was a loud bang when the lights came on & everyone ran out screaming."

Another, Hilary Parr, told Mirror Online: "Yes me & my daughter was just about leave and there was a huge bang and then everyone just darted out screaming and crying."

Another mum whose son was at the concert told Mirror Online: "All I know at the minute is him & hid dad left as soon as last song finished.

"Was near the toilets heard & felt some type of explosion & when they turned around everyone was running & screaming."

Former Coronation Street star Jule Hesmondhalgh also tweeted: "My husband and daughter were at AG gig at MEN and there was panic but someone came on stage and said no explosion, just a balloon."

A woman called Hannah, who was at the concert, told the Guardian there was “quite a loud explosion heard from inside the Manchester arena and it shook, then everyone screamed and tried to get out”.

She continued: “As we got outside, lots of police came racing towards the area and the whole of the Victoria train station was surrounded by police.”

She also told the Guardian that there were people were screaming and crying everywhere shouting that there’s a bomb 'and also people were saying there’s a shooter so we ran and jumped into a taxi'.

Suzy Mitchell, 26, whose flat is opposite the venue, reported hearing a huge bang which rocked the neighbourhood.

She said: “(I) just heard a huge bang from my bed, came out to the front of my apartments (we’re on the top floor so have perfect view) and everyone was running away in big crowds.

“The bang was so big I heard it from my room which is at the back of the apartment blocks."

Following the attack, pop star Ariana took to Twitter to express her devastation, describing herself as "broken".

"Broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words," the 23-year-old told her followers.

Fans were quick to reassure her that the blast was not her fault, while celebrity blogger Perez Hilton told her not to feel guilty.

The police have set up a helpline for people who are worried about loved ones; 0161 856 9400.

THE PICTURE THAT SHOCKED THE WORLD

The horrific scenes of the Manchester Arena attack have shocked the world.

And the above image sums up the efforts of the emergency services - and the struggle of those who just wanted to go to a concert and have a good time.

If you are one of the brave survivors - including this girl being helped away from the devastation - or if you know any of them, please contact Chief Reporter Sophie Evans on 02072933247 or [email protected].