22 confirmed dead and 59 more injured following blast at Manchester Arena on Monday 22 May
What we know so far...
- So far 22 people have been confirmed dead and 59 more injured following a suspected terror attack at Manchester Arena - police say children are amongst the dead.
- First casualty revealed as Georgina Callander, 18, of Runshaw College in Lancashire.
- 23-year-old man arrested in Chorlton/Whalley Range area in connection with the bombing.
- Heavily armed police have entered a property in Fallowfield.
- Attack on arena was carried out by a sole male suicide bomber who may have used a nail bomb after nuts and bolts were seen scattered around blast area.
- According to Reuters, ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack.
- The incident took place at approximately 10.33pm as a sold out concert by American popstar Ariana Grande drew to a close.
- Armed officers quickly surrounded the 21,000 capacity arena following incident.
- The attack is the deadliest act of terrorism in the UK since the 7/7 London bombings in 2005, where 52 people died.
Armed police swooped on the arena following the attack
- British Transport Police reported that the explosion took place in the foyer of the arena as people left the concert. Manchester Arena have confirmed the explosion happened in a public space outside the venue.
- More than 400 police officers and 60 ambulances were deployed during the night.
- Prime Minister Theresa May chaired Cobra meeting Tuesday morning at Downing Street.
- Police have confirmed that a controlled explosion took place close to the arena in Cathedral Gardens, however, the package was found to contain clothes.
- Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told press: "the spirit of Manchester will prevail and hold us together."
- Police say arrest made at Manchester Arndale unrelated to Monday's terror attack.
- The emergency number for concerned relatives and loved ones is 0161 856 9400.
Video (obtained via social media):
The moment the explosion rang out at 10.33pm on Monday 22 May...
Moment of the explosion and start of the chaos in the #Manchester Arena, UK. pic.twitter.com/gxLi5rBQbN
— LEON REPORT (@LeonReport) May 23, 2017
Flash seen from dashcam of nearby parked vehicle...
DashCam records Moment of explosion. At 0:07 sec left side. Definitely not a balloon#manchester #ManchesterArena pic.twitter.com/XkW5IbsSkH
— 🇺🇸 AdorableJoe🇲🇽 (@US_Citizen_Joe) May 22, 2017
Chaos as thousands flee the venue...
Eyewitness tells @bbcradiomanc of horrific scene in the foyer of #ManchesterArena pic.twitter.com/xdaiMufw50
— BBC North West (@BBCNWT) May 23, 2017
The chaos outside #manchesterarena when we were all trying to get out😫I hope everyone is okay ❤️ #Manchester pic.twitter.com/ISgx3AzJTF
— jordan mcbrearty (@JSMcbrearty) May 22, 2017
huge explosives heard within manchester arena. some people being treated from injuries. we are ok, just hope everyone else is @BBCBreaking pic.twitter.com/sPYn9t8yu6
— zac haniff (@z_hnff) May 22, 2017
Chaos at train station. No clues about what had happened.#manchester#manchesterarena
pic.twitter.com/uX2lHQkOyx
— Juinacio™ ⚠️ (@Juinacio) May 22, 2017
Emergency services rush to the scene...
More than 50 emergency service vehicles around the perimeter of the Manchester Arena @BBCRadioManc pic.twitter.com/NiHs00v4lu
— Pav B (@pavbeee) May 22, 2017
praying people aren't seriously hurt in #Manchester #ManchesterArena
pic.twitter.com/XVTPscXddt
— Mahir Demir (@MahirDemir_BJK) May 22, 2017
Ambulances out in force heading to Manchester Arena after all lining up on Thompson street fire station. pic.twitter.com/vpAFFUG0MI
— Sam Ward (@SamWardMCR) May 22, 2017
Unmarked police cars arriving at the scene at #ManchesterArena following suspected terror attack at Ariana Grande concert pic.twitter.com/7Djm3aaVUe
— David Blake (@David8Blake) May 23, 2017
Up to 400 officers attend the scene while 60 ambulances carry casualties to eight hospitals across Manchester...
Scenes now at #ManchesterArena - police officer confirmed fatalities in double figures, armed police on streets, ambulances coming and going pic.twitter.com/ZEvmlwPfrd
— Mcr Confidential (@mcrconfidential) May 23, 2017
Buses arrive at the arena to carry concert-goers home. Taxi drivers were also said to be offering free lifts to the stranded...
Buses arriving at #ManchesterArena - presumably to take people home following explosion pic.twitter.com/WJt51KPyg4
— Mcr Confidential (@mcrconfidential) May 23, 2017
Statement from Greater Manchester chief constable Ian Hopkins:
As dawn breaks, the helicopter continues to circle the arena
Helicopters back out over #ManchesterArena pic.twitter.com/kPYhJ0AMag
— David Blake (@David8Blake) May 23, 2017
Police and press continue to surround Manchester Arena this morning - Trinity Way, Exchange Square, Victoria Station remain behind cordon.
Police still surround #ManchesterArena, press gathering, helicopters back in sky. A beautifully sunny but tragic morning here in #Manchester pic.twitter.com/FcCYZnVKP7
— David Blake (@David8Blake) May 23, 2017
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and council leader Sir Richard Leese deliver message of strength and solidarity outside Manchester Town Hall...
Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham on #ManchesterArena attacks. "We are grieving today, but we are strong." pic.twitter.com/RGVHo6XHLM
— BBC North West (@BBCNWT) May 23, 2017
More from that statement...
Reports say Manchester Arndale has now been evacuated. Video appears to show armed police arresting a man on Market Street (below).
#manchesterarena Guy just been arrested and a parcel was found in arndale food court. pic.twitter.com/DuGLaoEbGG
— Alice Williams (@MotherLeopard92) May 23, 2017
Pictures from Twitter user @TTBXXX reportedly show heavily armed officers raiding a house on Elsmore Avenue in Fallowfield. Eyewitnesses say police carried out a controlled explosion at the property.
@SkyNews FALLOWFIELD MANCHESTER pic.twitter.com/rpYns8sIkG
— TTBXXX (@TTBXXX) May 23, 2017
17:35
Police have confirmed Salman Abedi, 22, as the suspect. However, Chief Constable Ian Hopkins says because they have not yet formally identified Abedi, they can comment no further.
Latest statement from @ccianhopkins in relation to last night's attack. pic.twitter.com/w1BdLp9nY4
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
UK Police: "I can confirm that the man suspected of carrying out last night's atrocity is 22-year-old Salman Abedi" pic.twitter.com/ycxNIOSbo3
— The Rouser (@RouserNews) May 23, 2017
Poet Tony 'Longfella' Walsh with a rousing ode to Manchester grit and spirit at the vigil for bombing victims. It's been a moving day for everyone here. What a beautiful evening... what horrific circumstances... what a city.