Manchester Arena attack: 22 killed by suicide bomber at Ariana Grande
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Manchester Arena attack: 22 killed by suicide bomber at Ariana Grande concert - latest news and reaction
- Isil claims responsibility for suicide bombing in Manchester
- Girl, eight, among 22 people killed as 59 also injured in attack
- Theresa May: 'Callous attack carried out with cold calculation'
- Parents frantically search for missing after Ariana Grande gig
- Police arrest 23-year-old man in South Manchester over attack
- Blast is worst terror attack to hit Britain since July 2005
- Queen condemns 'act of barbarity' that has 'shocked nation'
- #RoomForManchester: Strangers open up homes to victims
- Number for those concerned about missing: 0800 096 0095
The Islamic State terror group has claimed responsibility for the Manchester suicide bombing that killed 22 people - including an eight-year-old girl - in an explosion that tore through fans leaving an Ariana Grande pop concert in Manchester.
As the first arrest was made in connection with the attack, Prime Minister Theresa May disclosed that the authorities believe they know the identity of the man who carried out the atrocity.
Unconfirmed reports from CBS News in America identified 23-year-old Salman Abedi as a suspect in the bombing.
Mrs May said "many" children were among the dead and 59 injured in the bombing at the Manchester Arena on Monday night as thousands of young people streamed from the venue.
Her statement came moments before police disclosed that a 23-year-old man was arrested in South Manchester on Tuesday morning in connection with the bombing.
Meanwhile, police confirmed that a controlled explosion had been carried out in connection with the attack at an address in the Fallowfield area of the city.
The first confirmed fatality was 18-year-old sixth form student Georgina Callender, an Ariana Grande "superfan" from Lancashire who met her idol in 2015 and was excited to see her on stage last night.
An eight-year-old girl, Saffie Rose Roussos, was also confirmed as having been killed after becoming separated from her mother and sister.
Meanwhile, relatives of at least 13 people missing after the attack - including an eight-year-old girl - have launched frantic searches for their loved-ones.
Victims earlier told how an improvised explosive device carried by the attacker caused them to be thrown by the blast, which scattered nuts and bolts across the floor of the foyer area.
It is the worst terror attack to hit Britain since the July 2005 suicide bomb attacks in central London in which 52 people were killed and came four years to the day Lee Rigby was murdered by Islamist extremists.
Mrs May said that the attacker deliberately chose the place where he could cause "maximum carnage" when he detonated the bomb.
Speaking outside Downing Street after chairing a meeting of the Government's Cobra emergency committee, Mrs May condemned the "cowardice" of the attacker and hailed those who rushed to help, who had shown "the spirit of Britain ... a spirit that through years of conflict and terrorism has never been broken and will never be broken".
She vowed: "The terrorists will never win and our values, our country and our way of life will always prevail."
Police were called to reports of an explosion at 10.33pm, shortly after Grande, the US singer, had finished her performance as thousands of people streamed out of the Arena.
More than 240 calls were made to the emergency services, with 60 ambulances flooding the area and more than 400 police officers deployed as part of the operation.
The General Election campaign has been suspended in the wake of the terror attack, which the Queen said had left the "whole nation" shocked by the "act of barbarity".
Police have appealed for concert-goers and witnesses to provide police with footage from the scene if they believe it can assist the probe - as well as any dashcam footage taken in Manchester city centre between 8pm and 11pm.
Anyone with concerns over loved ones can contact 0800 096 0095 for assistance.
Everything we know about Salman Abedi
Born in Manchester in 1994 the second youngest of four children her parents were Libyan refugees who came to the UK to escape the Gaddafi regime.
His mother, Samia Tabbal, 50, and father, Ramadan Abedi, a security officer, were both born in Libya but appear to have emigrated to London before moving to the Fallowfield area of south Manchester where they have lived for at least ten years.
He grew up in the Whalley Range area, just yards from the local girl's high school, which hit the headlines in 2015 when twins and grade A pupils, Zahra and Salma Halane, who were both aspiring medical students, left their homes and moved to Isil controlled Syria.
They then had Hashem Abedi, now 20, and daughter Jomana, 18. Jomana, who has two Facebook profiles, attended Whalley Range High School before apparently working at Didsbury Mosque in 2013.
Salman Abedi raided, police reveal
It has emerged the controlled explosion reported earlier in the day happened at the home of bombing suspect Salman Abedi.
Elsmore Road, where Abedi was registered as living, became the centre of the investigation into Monday's outrage as detectives hunted those thought to be behind the blast.
Armed police ordered residents indoors as they carried out a controlled explosion.
The suspect was named by US security services in Washington, as those who live on the red-bricked semi-detached street said they know little about those who reside at the address.
US officials 'identify suspected bomber'
The Press Association has put out a report claiming that US officials have said British authorities identified the suspected Manchester bomber as Salman Abedi.
More to follow on this.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Theresa May has made a private visit to Manchester Children's Hospital, Downing Street said.
We are also expecting a new statement from Greater Manchester Police imminently.
Father pleads for safe return of his daughter, 15
The father of a teenager missing with her friend after the Manchester terror attack has revealed that it was his daughter’s first concert.
School friends Laura MacIntyre, 15, and Eilidh MacLeod, 14, travelled from the remote Hebridean island of Barra to the concert in Manchester.
Michael MacIntyre said it was a birthday present for Eilidh and the pair were “big fans” of Ariana Grande.
He added: “Laura was so happy to be going down there with her friend.
“It was Laura’s first concert. I was a bit hesitant about her going to a concert so far away but she seemed so happy. I’m waiting by the phone all day in case I hear any news.”
The Telegraph's Auslin Cramb has more in this report.
Queen and Prince Philip observe silence
The Queen held a minute's silence at Buckingham Palace today for victims of the Manchester bomb attack.
Members of the Royal family joined 8,000 guests at a palace garden party in standing silent in honour of the 22 dead and 59 injured at the Manchester Arena last night.
In a sunshine yellow Stewart Parvin wool coat and Rachel Trevor-Morgan hat, the 91-year-old monarch, with the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Eugenie, stood in quiet contemplation outside the palace Bow Room as the party guests looked on from the 40-acre garden.
The Duke of York, who was travelling back from China, was due to join the garden party guests later.
Duke of Cambridge sends his thoughts to Manchester
The Duke of Cambridge has expressed his shock and sadness at the Manchester Arena bombing.
William, father to Prince George and Princess Charlotte, said he, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry were sending their thoughts to the friends, parents, children and partners left "confronting unimaginable grief".
The Duke said in a statement released by Kensington Palace: "Like everyone, Catherine, Harry and I are left shocked and saddened by the tragedy that unfolded in Manchester overnight.
"Hundreds of friends, parents, children, and partners are confronting unimaginable grief today, and we send our thoughts to them all.
"We also send our thanks to the people of Manchester for their display of strength, decency, and community that is an example to the world."
The Queen has also offered her "deepest sympathy" to all those affected by the "dreadful" terrorist attack, saying the events had shocked the nation.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall expressed their "most heartfelt sympathy" for the families and friends of the victims, branding the incident "truly dreadful".
Theresa May pays tribute to emergency services
Speaking to the BBC after her meeting in Manchester, Mrs May gave her reaction to the first young victims of the attack being identified.
She said: "It is an absolutely barbaric attack that has taken place, to cut off young lives in this way, and it is absolutely devastating and our thoughts and prayers must be with their families and friends at this horrendous tragedy that has taken place.
"I'm very clear that the police and the security services have the resources to ensure that they continue their investigation.
"I would like to thank all of those involved, the police and other emergency services, for the amazing way that they responded to this terrible incident.
"I've just been hearing of police officers who were off duty turning up, wanting to ensure that they could contribute, that they could help.
"So many people have helped. That's the great spirit of Manchester, the spirit of Britain, and one thing I'm clear is that the terrorists will not prevail."
Mrs May said the police and security services were working "to identify whether there was a wider group of people involved in this particular incident".
Isil responsibility claim 'not verified'
Islamic State's claim it is behind the Manchester bombing has not been verified in the United States, intelligence chiefs have said.
The terror organisation, known as IS and Isis, claims responsibility for "virtually every attack", US director of national intelligence Dan Coats said.
He told the senate armed services committee the atrocity was "tragic" and a reminder of the real threat faced by the West and its allies.
Mr Coats said:
Isis has claimed responsibility for the attack in Manchester, although they claim responsibility for virtually every attack.We have not verified yet the connection. We spent a significant amount of time discussing threats to our respective homelands.It's a tragic situation that we see all too much of in countries around the world, particularly our allies.Once again, it reminds us that this threat is real, it is not going away and needs significant attention to do everything we can to protect our people from these kinds of attacks.
Justin Welby: There is more than unites us than divides us
Speaking after interfaith prayers in Manchester Cathedral, Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, posted on Twitter:
Faith communities in #Manchester saying there is more that unites us than divides us. #WeStandTogethertwitter.com/ManCathedral/s…
Busker sings songs of defiance after Manchester terror attack
Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens was packed with workers on their lunch break listening to a busker singing songs of defiance.
Hundreds of Mancunians sat in the sun-drenched central square eating lunch and listening to the musician, who sang songs such as All You Need Is Love by the Beatles.
The singer even adapted the lyrics of Bob Marley's Everything's Gonna Be Alright to include a reference to the 1996 IRA bomb that struck the city.
"We were all right in the 90s and came back stronger," he sang.
Theresa May meets police chief in Manchester
Prime Minister Theresa May has been pictured with Ian Hopkins, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, this afternoon as she visits the city to show her support following last night's terror attack.
Speaking earlier after chairing a Cobra meeting, Mrs May said the "callous" attack was "among the worst terrorism we have experienced in the United Kingdom".
Prince Charles: Appalling atrocity... fills us with intense sadness
Prince Charles has released a statement in the wake of the Manchester terror attack on behalf of him and his wife, Camilla. He said:
"My wife and I were so profoundly shocked to learn of the truly dreadful event which took place in Manchester last night.
"That such a large number of people, including so many young concert-goers, lost their lives or have suffered so much in this appalling atrocity is deeply distressing and fills us with intense sadness.
"Words cannot adequately express what so many families must be feeling at this incredibly difficult time and our most heartfelt sympathy is with all those who have so tragically lost loved ones or who have been affected in some way."
Police appeal for dashcam footage taken in Manchester city centre
Police investigating the Manchester Arena attack are appealing to anyone who was in Manchester city centre between 8pm and 11pm and has dashcam footage to email it as a matter of urgency to https://ukpoliceimageappeal.co .uk/
Video: Mancunians 'stick together when it counts'
AJ Singh, a Manchester taxi driver who offered his services for free to those affected by city's suspected terror attack, says Mancunians "stick together when it counts". Click here for more.
Controlled explosion at address after bombing
Greater Manchester Police said a controlled explosion has taken place at an address in Fallowfield as part of the investigation into the Manchester bomb attack.
Rosemary Ward, 21, who lives nearby, said: "There was a big bang and the whole house shook. I just picked my child up - she was screaming.
"Everyone started running out of their houses. It was scary. There were lots of police here already - they had machine guns.
"We heard that 22 people had been arrested in a house down there. I live right around the corner. I'm just worried about my child.
"I was supposed to go into town but I'm not going to now. People are crying because they want to get their kids out of school."
Officers also executed a search warrant at a property in Whalley Range, the force added.
Donald Trump: Americans stand with people of UK after 'wanton and depraved' attack
President Donald Trump told Theresa May that "Americans stand with the people of the United Kingdom" in a phone call in which he offered US assistance for the investigation into the Manchester concert attack.
The call came shortly after Mr Trump denounced those responsible for the atrocity as "evil losers" and called for the ideology behind the outrage to be "completely obliterated".
The US president was one of a number of world leaders the Prime Minister spoke to by phone after chairing a meeting of the Government's Cobra emergency committee in Whitehall.
The White House said Mr Trump and Mrs May agreed the targeting of teenage children enjoying a concert was "particularly wanton and depraved".
And a spokesman said: "The president reassured the Prime Minister that Americans stand with the people of the United Kingdom and that our resolve will never waver in the face of terrorism. He offered American aid in the United Kingdom's investigation and vowed to continue the mutual fight against terrorism."
Latest victim to be named is eight-year-old girl
An eight-year-old girl, Saffie Rose Roussos, has been confirmed as having been killed in after becoming separated from her mother and sister. Click here to read more.
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