A suicide bomber has killed 22 people – including children – in an explosion that tore through fans leaving an Ariana Grande pop concert in Manchester.
The police say the Manchester bomber was a man who died in the explosion, and the death toll has risen to 22
Manchester Arena explosion: – Children among 22 people dead – Worst terror attack to hit Britain since July 2005 !!
Manchester Arena attack: Children among 22 killed at Ariana Grande concert as police think they know bomber’s identity
At least 59 people were also injured in the blast, which was caused by an improvised explosive device carried by the attacker, at the Manchester Arena on Monday night.
As detectives seek to establish if the attacker was a lone wolf or part of a wider terror network, victims described being thrown by the blast, which scattered nuts and bolts across the floor of the foyer area.
Relatives of at least 13 people missing after the attack – including an eight-year-old girl – have launched frantic searches for their loved-ones.
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.
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.
Announcing that the death toll had risen and that children are among the dead, Greater Manchester Police chief constable Ian Hopkins said: “This has been the most horrific incident we have had to face in Greater Manchester and one that 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.”
Mr Hopkins said investigators believed the attack was conducted by one man who died at the scene, although detectives are working to establish if he “was acting alone or as part of a network”.
The General Election campaign has been suspended in the wake of the terror attack and Prime Minister Theresa May is chairing an an emergency Cobra meeting.
A large cordon remains in place around the arena and nearby Manchester Victoria Station, which was evacuated during the incident and remains closed, while forensic investigators gather evidence.
Police have appealed for concert-goers and witnesses to provide police with footage from the scene if they believe it can assist the probe.
Anyone with concerns over loved ones can contact 0161 856 9400 or 0161 856 9900 for assistance.
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