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| Version 11 | Version 12 |
|---|---|
| Manchester Arena: 22 dead after explosion at Ariana Grande concert – latest updates | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 7.06am BST | |
| 07:06 | |
| Police: children have died | |
| Hopkins confirms that children are among the 22 people confirmed to have died. | |
| 7.04am BST | |
| 07:04 | |
| Police: sole attacker died at scene | |
| Chief constable Ian Hopkins says the attacker died in the explosion. | |
| He says that while police believe the man was acting alone in the attack last night, investigations are ongoing to establish if he was part of a network. | |
| He says police believe the man was “carrying an improvised explosive device, which he detonated causing this atrocity”. | |
| 6.59am BST | |
| 06:59 | |
| Death toll rises to 22 | |
| Greater Manchester police says 22 people have died, and 59 injured. | |
| 6.55am BST | |
| 06:55 | |
| We are expecting an update from Greater Manchester police’s chief constable Ian Hopkins shortly, which will be covered here as it happens. | |
| Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester mayor, is also due to speak within the next hour, and we’ll have that on the live blog too. | |
| 6.49am BST | |
| 06:49 | |
| Paul Nuttall, the Ukip leader who is also MEP for North West England has confirmed that his party will also suspend its election campaigning. In a statement this morning, Nuttall said: | |
| Just woken to the terrible news in the heart of my constituency, Manchester. My prayers and thoughts are with those affected. Stay strong. | |
| In light of what’s happened I have suspended the Ukip general election campaign. | |
| Other parties have already announced their intention to pause campaigning. | |
| 6.42am BST | |
| 06:42 | |
| Peter Walker | |
| The leader of Manchester city council, Richard Leese, has said it is “impossible to imagine a worse night in the history of the city”. | |
| Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: | |
| As the chief constable has said, our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims, and those people who are still, in some cases, critically injured, in what is a truly appalling night. | |
| City council staff had worked overnight with police, he said, “doing what we can” to help people in trouble. Leese continued: | |
| I’ve heard lots of stories about how the broader Manchester community has opened up – free taxi rides, offers of accommodation, all the things that a good community will do to try and support in what is going to be the worst possible moment in their lives. | |
| I think that has to be part of the story. It is a tragedy, the loss of life is truly appalling, but as a city, as a community, we will continue to pull together, and we will not allow ourselves to be beaten. | |
| We don’t know what the cause is yet. Clearly there is lots of supposition taking place. But this is not something that we are going to allow to beat us as a Manchester community. | |
| 6.36am BST | |
| 06:36 | |
| Manchester attack: eyewitnesses | |
| In the aftermath of the attack in Manchester, witnesses spoke to Guardian reporters about the moments after the concert had finished, when a loud bang was heard by those inside the arena. | |
| Majid Khan, 22, said: | |
| A huge bomb-like bang went off that hugely panicked everyone and we were all trying to flee the arena. | |
| It was one bang and essentially everyone from the other side of the arena where the bang was heard from suddenly came running towards us as they were trying to exit. | |
| Oliver Jones, 17, who attended with his 19-year-old sister, said: | |
| The bang echoed around the foyer of the arena and people started to run. | |
| People outside the concert were visibly upset, as a cacophony of sirens were heard as police and ambulance vehicles arrived at the scene. | |
| Erin McDougle, 20, from Newcastle said: | |
| There was a loud bang at the end of the concert. The lights were already on so we knew it wasn’t part of the show. At first we thought it was a bomb. There was a lot of smoke. People started running out. When we got outside the arena there were dozens of police vans and quite a few ambulances. | |
| A group of young men from Sheffield said they had seen at least five people covered in blood and others being carried out by bouncers. One told the Guardian: | |
| Ariana Grande had just gone behind the curtain and the lights came up when there was this massive bang and a big cloud of smoke. I saw five people with blood all down them. | |
| Sophie Tedd, 25, from Darlington, said: | |
| Everyone started screaming and we nearly got trampled on. There was a burning smell. | |
| 6.24am BST | 6.24am BST |
| 06:24 | 06:24 |
| The home secretary, Amber Rudd, who will attend this morning’s emergency Cobra meeting, has added to the tributes to emergency services: | The home secretary, Amber Rudd, who will attend this morning’s emergency Cobra meeting, has added to the tributes to emergency services: |
| This was a barbaric attack, deliberately targeting some of the most vulnerable in our society – young people and children out at a pop concert. | This was a barbaric attack, deliberately targeting some of the most vulnerable in our society – young people and children out at a pop concert. |
| My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and victims who have been affected, and I know the whole country will share that view. | My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and victims who have been affected, and I know the whole country will share that view. |
| I’d like to pay tribute to the emergency services who have worked throughout the night professionally and effectively; they have done an excellent job. | I’d like to pay tribute to the emergency services who have worked throughout the night professionally and effectively; they have done an excellent job. |
| Later on this morning I will be attending Cobra, chaired by the prime minister, to collect more information, to find out more, about this particular attack, and I can’t comment any more on that at the moment. | Later on this morning I will be attending Cobra, chaired by the prime minister, to collect more information, to find out more, about this particular attack, and I can’t comment any more on that at the moment. |
| The public should remain alert but not alarmed. If they have anything to report, they should approach the police. | The public should remain alert but not alarmed. If they have anything to report, they should approach the police. |
| But I have two further things to add. | But I have two further things to add. |
| The great city of Manchester has been affected by terrorism before. Its spirit was not bowed; its community continued. | The great city of Manchester has been affected by terrorism before. Its spirit was not bowed; its community continued. |
| This time it has been a particular attack on the most vulnerable in our society. Its intention was to sow fear; its intention is to divide. But it will not succeed. | This time it has been a particular attack on the most vulnerable in our society. Its intention was to sow fear; its intention is to divide. But it will not succeed. |
| 6.19am BST | 6.19am BST |
| 06:19 | 06:19 |
| Michael Safi | Michael Safi |
| One of the missing concert-goers whose photograph is being widely shared on social media is Olivia Campbell, a teenager who attended the concert as part of a birthday present for her friend, Adam, who is also missing. | One of the missing concert-goers whose photograph is being widely shared on social media is Olivia Campbell, a teenager who attended the concert as part of a birthday present for her friend, Adam, who is also missing. |
| We have still not found OLIVIA CAMPBELL. If you see her please contact me ASAP. pic.twitter.com/8LboKg0B2n | We have still not found OLIVIA CAMPBELL. If you see her please contact me ASAP. pic.twitter.com/8LboKg0B2n |
| Her mother, Charlotte, told CNN she last spoke to her daughter around 8.30pm, several hours before the blast: | Her mother, Charlotte, told CNN she last spoke to her daughter around 8.30pm, several hours before the blast: |
| It’s the most horrible feeling ever to know your daughter is there and you can’t find her, and you don’t know if she’s dead or alive. | It’s the most horrible feeling ever to know your daughter is there and you can’t find her, and you don’t know if she’s dead or alive. |
| I don’t know how people can do this to innocent children. | I don’t know how people can do this to innocent children. |
| She said Adam and Olivia had “done nothing but talk about” the concert in the past few days: | She said Adam and Olivia had “done nothing but talk about” the concert in the past few days: |
| They’re normal teenage children who were going to see their favourite artist and it’s ended in absolute carnage. | They’re normal teenage children who were going to see their favourite artist and it’s ended in absolute carnage. |
| 6.08am BST | 6.08am BST |
| 06:08 | 06:08 |
| All election campaigning suspended | All election campaigning suspended |
| Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed that Labour will join the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and SNP in suspending campaigning for the 8 June general election. | Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed that Labour will join the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and SNP in suspending campaigning for the 8 June general election. |
| In a statement this morning, the Labour leader says: | In a statement this morning, the Labour leader says: |
| I am horrified by the horrendous events in Manchester last night. My thoughts are with family and friends of those who have died and been injured. | I am horrified by the horrendous events in Manchester last night. My thoughts are with family and friends of those who have died and been injured. |
| Today the whole country will grieve for the people who have lost their lives. | Today the whole country will grieve for the people who have lost their lives. |
| I have spoken with Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, who has fully briefed me on the operational response in the city. | I have spoken with Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, who has fully briefed me on the operational response in the city. |
| I would like to pay tribute to the emergency services for their bravery and professionalism in dealing with last night’s appalling events. | I would like to pay tribute to the emergency services for their bravery and professionalism in dealing with last night’s appalling events. |
| I have spoken with the prime minister and we have agreed that all national campaigning in the general election will be suspended until further notice. | I have spoken with the prime minister and we have agreed that all national campaigning in the general election will be suspended until further notice. |
| 5.54am BST | 5.54am BST |
| 05:54 | 05:54 |
| What we know so far | What we know so far |
| Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
| At least 19 people have been killed and around 5o injured after an explosion at Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by Ariana Grande. | At least 19 people have been killed and around 5o injured after an explosion at Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by Ariana Grande. |
| Investigators say they are treating the incident as a terrorist attack “until police know otherwise”. | Investigators say they are treating the incident as a terrorist attack “until police know otherwise”. |
| The blast was reported to have taken place outside the arena, in the public foyer, shortly after 10.30pm. North West ambulance services said 60 ambulances were dispatched to the arena, with 59 people transferred to six hospitals across Greater Manchester, and a number of “walking wounded” treated at the scene. | The blast was reported to have taken place outside the arena, in the public foyer, shortly after 10.30pm. North West ambulance services said 60 ambulances were dispatched to the arena, with 59 people transferred to six hospitals across Greater Manchester, and a number of “walking wounded” treated at the scene. |
| No identities of those killed or injured have been confirmed. No arrests have been made. | No identities of those killed or injured have been confirmed. No arrests have been made. |
| The prime minister, Theresa May, will chair a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee at 9am on Tuesday. In an overnight statement, May said: | The prime minister, Theresa May, will chair a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee at 9am on Tuesday. In an overnight statement, May said: |
| We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack. | We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack. |
| All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected. | All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected. |
| Party leaders Jeremy Corbyn, Nicola Sturgeon and Tim Farron also expressed condolences. Campaigning for June’s general election has been suspended. | Party leaders Jeremy Corbyn, Nicola Sturgeon and Tim Farron also expressed condolences. Campaigning for June’s general election has been suspended. |
| Ariana Grande, who was not hurt in the explosion, which occurred just moments after her show finished, tweeted that she was | Ariana Grande, who was not hurt in the explosion, which occurred just moments after her show finished, tweeted that she was |
| “broken. From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don’t have words.” | “broken. From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don’t have words.” |
| A large area around the arena has been cordoned off. Victoria station has been closed and train services cancelled for the whole of Tuesday. Police have asked people to stay away from the area. | A large area around the arena has been cordoned off. Victoria station has been closed and train services cancelled for the whole of Tuesday. Police have asked people to stay away from the area. |
| British Transport Police said extra officers, some armed, would be on patrol today. | British Transport Police said extra officers, some armed, would be on patrol today. |
| Greater Manchester police has set up a hotline for those concerned about relatives or friends who might have been caught up in the Manchester explosion: 0161 856 9400. | Greater Manchester police has set up a hotline for those concerned about relatives or friends who might have been caught up in the Manchester explosion: 0161 856 9400. |
| 5.46am BST | 5.46am BST |
| 05:46 | 05:46 |
| Tom Phillips | Tom Phillips |
| CCTV, China’s state broadcaster, is reporting that Chinese president Xi Jinping has sent a message to the Queen expressing his “sincere condolences” to those killed and injured in the explosion in Manchester and to their families. | CCTV, China’s state broadcaster, is reporting that Chinese president Xi Jinping has sent a message to the Queen expressing his “sincere condolences” to those killed and injured in the explosion in Manchester and to their families. |
| “The Chinese people are firmly standing together with the British people at this difficult time,” Xi told the Queen, according to a brief announcement by the channel. | “The Chinese people are firmly standing together with the British people at this difficult time,” Xi told the Queen, according to a brief announcement by the channel. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.54am BST | at 5.54am BST |
| 5.36am BST | 5.36am BST |
| 05:36 | 05:36 |
| Health workers visiting Manchester have offered to pitch in to help care for those injured in an explosion at a concert in the city, Press Association reports: | Health workers visiting Manchester have offered to pitch in to help care for those injured in an explosion at a concert in the city, Press Association reports: |
| NHS staff attending a conference in the city offered support to local hospitals treating the wounded. | NHS staff attending a conference in the city offered support to local hospitals treating the wounded. |
| North West Ambulance NHS Trust sent 60 ambulances to the scene of the suspected terror attack. It said 59 casualties had been taken to nearby hospitals and a number of walking wounded were treated at the scene. | North West Ambulance NHS Trust sent 60 ambulances to the scene of the suspected terror attack. It said 59 casualties had been taken to nearby hospitals and a number of walking wounded were treated at the scene. |
| Greater Manchester Police said that the injured were being treated at six local hospitals. | Greater Manchester Police said that the injured were being treated at six local hospitals. |
| Kirsty Withers, a theatre clinical manager at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay (UHMB) NHS Foundation Trust, offered assistance to Manchester Royal Infirmary online, writing: “We are visiting for a health conference from morecambe bay trust tomorrow 3 Theatre ODPs available if needed.” | Kirsty Withers, a theatre clinical manager at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay (UHMB) NHS Foundation Trust, offered assistance to Manchester Royal Infirmary online, writing: “We are visiting for a health conference from morecambe bay trust tomorrow 3 Theatre ODPs available if needed.” |
| Stuart Hosking-Durn, an emergency preparedness, resilience and response professional with UHMB, also used Twitter to offer help, posting: “do you need extra hands, we have staff in Manchester, have ID and can attend.” | Stuart Hosking-Durn, an emergency preparedness, resilience and response professional with UHMB, also used Twitter to offer help, posting: “do you need extra hands, we have staff in Manchester, have ID and can attend.” |
| Mancunian GP Faizan Awan tweeted: “If you need any help doing clinical work either on wards or minors, let me know. Can be with you in 10 minutes.” | Mancunian GP Faizan Awan tweeted: “If you need any help doing clinical work either on wards or minors, let me know. Can be with you in 10 minutes.” |