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Manchester Arena: children among 22 dead in suicide attack at Ariana Grande concert – latest updates Manchester Arena: children among 22 dead in suicide attack at Ariana Grande concert – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
8.15am BST
08:15
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has given this statement:
“It was with great sadness and profound shock that I learnt of the brutal attack that struck Manchester.
It breaks my heart to think that, once again, terrorism has sought to instil fear where there should be joy, to sow division where young people and families should be coming together in celebration.
I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to Prime Minister May and to the British people.
Today we mourn with you. Tomorrow we will work side by side with you to fight back against those who seek to destroy our way of life. They underestimate ours and your resilience – these cowardly attacks will only strengthen our commitment to work together to defeat the perpetrators of such vile acts.”
8.11am BST
08:11
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has spoken of his horror and consternation at the attack. In a statement he offered his sympathies to the British people and promised that France and Britain would work together to combat terrorism. He also said he would speak to Theresa May later today.
#Manchester @EmmanuelMacron adresse au peuple britannique toute la compassion et la sollicitude de la France pic.twitter.com/gyPjZexeXe
Updated
at 8.14am BST
8.05am BST
08:05
Matthew Weaver
The Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, was asked how the attack compared with the 7/7 attack in London in 2005. He said:
I was in the Home Office as a minister on that day, and I remember how London felt on that day. I remember it very vividly. London pulled together in exactly the same way that Manchester is its own unique way will pull together. We will stand strong, and stand together, that’s what we are. That’s what we do. So they won’t win. We are grieving, we are hurt today, but as I said we are strong. And this city has dealt with difficult days in the past and we do so now.
Burnham also confirmed that he would be taking part in the government’s emergency Cobra meeting via video-link from Manchester.
He said: “I will be heading over to Greater Manchester police force headquarters after this press call to take part in the Cobra meeting alongside the police constable. There will be a further update after that. We will work with the government to give the people the reassurance that they need, and to insure that, as far as possible, that we return to business as usual in the city.”
Steve Morris in Manchester has this footage of his statement.
Andy Burnham on the Manchester attack (part 2). https://t.co/kxXmdXCryB
Updated
at 8.14am BST
8.01am BST
08:01
What we know so far
Claire Phipps
Police have confirmed that 22 people have been killed – including some children – and 59 injured after an explosion at Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by Ariana Grande.
Greater Manchester police say the perpetrator was a man acting alone, who died at the scene after detonating an improvised explosive device.
Investigators are trying to establish whether the bomber was part of a wider network.
The blast took place outside the arena, in the public foyer, shortly after 10.30pm, minutes after the concert ended.
No identities of those killed or injured have been confirmed. No arrests have been made. The wounded are receiving treatment in eight hospitals across Greater Manchester.
The prime minister, Theresa May, will chair a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee at 9am today. 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.
All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected.
Party leaders Jeremy Corbyn, Nicola Sturgeon, Tim Farron, Leanne Wood and Paul Nuttall also expressed condolences. Campaigning for June’s general election has been suspended.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham called it “an evil act” that would not succeed in breaking the spirit of the city.
Ariana Grande, who was not hurt in the explosion, tweeted that she was:
“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.
British Transport Police said extra officers, some armed, would be on patrol today.
Greater Manchester police have set up a hotline for those concerned about relatives or friends who might have been caught up in the Manchester explosion: 0161 856 9400.
Updated
at 8.15am BST
8.00am BST
08:00
The Lee Rigby Foundation, which offers support for bereaved families in memory of the soldier who was murdered by terrorists in 2013, has tweeted its shock and sorrow at last night’s attack.
Rigby was killed on 22 May 2013; the Manchester attack fell on the fourth anniversary of his death.
We are deeply shocked and saddened at the dreadful terrorist attack in #ManchesterArena & send our deepest sympathies to all those affected.
Updated
at 8.00am BST
7.55am BST
07:55
Elle Hunt
For some it sounded muffled and far away, as though somewhere in the distance a big balloon had popped. For others the terror was all too immediately apparent.
The lights had just come on and Ariana Grande had left the stage after concluding an elaborate three-hour, four-part entertainment extravaganza with an encore performance of her latest single, Dangerous Woman.
At 10.30pm following a sold-out show in the 21,000-capacity Manchester Arena, thousands of fans began to gather up their belongings and filter slowly out of four exits.
Then the bang.
For the first milliseconds, minds did not immediately connect the sound with an explosion or a bomb.
“It sounded like a big balloon popping, but it was kind of muffled, like it wasn’t in the stadium itself,” said a young Mancunian fan, identified as Sammy, in a video he recorded of his experience and posted on Periscope.
“There were a few screams, then there was silence. Then the whole arena literally split like the Red Sea – everyone was trampling over each other, sprinting to get to the nearest exit. It was like a scene out of a horror movie.”
7.49am BST
07:49
The archbishop of Canterbury has tweeted his condolences to those affected:
Heroic Manchester, dark evil cannot overcome it. We pray for those in sorrow on the hard journey of loss & pain, & for those who protect us
The Plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood, has joined other parties in halting election campaigning:
The thoughts and sympathies of all of us in Plaid Cymru go out to all the people affected by last night’s horrific events in Manchester. We will be suspending our campaigning today as a mark of respect to all of the families.
Updated
at 7.52am BST
7.43am BST
07:43
Peter Walker
Charlotte Campbell’s 15-year-old daughter, Olivia, is still missing after the concert. She spoke to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, where she began by saying when she last talked to her daughter:
She was at the concert. She’d just seen the support act and said she was having an amazing time, and thanking me for letting her go. She was with her friend, Adam. Adam was found about half an hour ago – he’s in hospital – but Olivia’s not been found yet.
I’m at home phoning everybody: hospitals, police, the centres that the children have been put in. Her dad’s in Manchester looking for her. I’ve got friends looking for her. I’ve got people I don’t even know looking for her, people messaging me, saying we’ve got her photo, looking for her, we’ll get in contact if we see her. And I’m just hearing nothing. Her phone’s dead.
Social media has been wonderful. I don’t know what I’ve have done without them, it’s made it so aware that she’s missing. There’s thousands of people who now know she’s missing, there’s people out looking for her I don’t know, and I can’t thank these people enough, giving their time up.
They’ve basically told me to stay put and wait for a phone call. I daren’t leave the house just in case she somehow gets home.
We have still not found OLIVIA CAMPBELL. If you see her please contact me ASAP. pic.twitter.com/8LboKg0B2n
Updated
at 8.03am BST
7.36am BST7.36am BST
07:3607:36
Mayor Andy Burnham: 'This was an evil act'Mayor Andy Burnham: 'This was an evil act'
Andy Burnham, the new mayor of Greater Manchester, has been speaking in the city about the attack, which he describes as “an evil act”. Andy Burnham, the new mayor of Greater Manchester, has been speaking in the city about the attack, which he describes as “an evil act”. He says his thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends:
He says his thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends: We will do whatever we can to support them. We are grieving today but we are strong.
We will do whatever we can to support them.
We are grieving today but we are strong.
He also pays tribute to the emergency services:He also pays tribute to the emergency services:
I want to thank the hundreds of police, fire and ambulance staff who worked through the night … I want to thank the hundreds of police, fire and ambulance staff who worked through the night … I want to thank the people of Manchester: even in the minutes after the attack they opened their doors to strangers and drove them away from danger … It will be that spirit of Manchester that will prevail and hold us together.
I want to thank the people of Manchester: even in the minutes after the attack they opened their doors to strangers and drove them away from danger … It will be that spirit of Manchester that will prevail and hold us together. Burnham says he was a minister in the Home Office during the 7/7 attacks on London, which killed 52 people:
Burnham says he was a minister in the home office during the 7/7 attacks on London, which killed 52 people: I remember how London felt on that day, I remember it vividly … Manchester will pull together … that’s what we are, that’s what we do. They won’t win. This city has dealt with difficult things in the past and we will do so now.
I remember how London felt on that day, I remember it vividly … Manchester will pull together … that’s what we are, that’s what we do. They won’t win.
This city has dealt with difficult things in the past and we will do so now.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.40am BST at 8.04am BST
7.28am BST7.28am BST
07:2807:28
The explosion happened moments after the end of a concert at Manchester Arena by Ariana Grande.The explosion happened moments after the end of a concert at Manchester Arena by Ariana Grande.
Grande, who was not hurt in the blast, tweeted earlier that she was “broken” by news of the casualties:Grande, who was not hurt in the blast, tweeted earlier that she was “broken” by news of the casualties:
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.
7.24am BST7.24am BST
07:2407:24
The US president Donald Trump, on a visit to Israel, is being updated on the situation in Manchester, White House spokesman Sean Spicer has confirmed:The US president Donald Trump, on a visit to Israel, is being updated on the situation in Manchester, White House spokesman Sean Spicer has confirmed:
National Security Team is providing updates to @POTUS on situation in #manchesterexplosionNational Security Team is providing updates to @POTUS on situation in #manchesterexplosion
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.30am BSTat 7.30am BST
7.18am BST7.18am BST
07:1807:18
Key updates from the most recent police press conference:Key updates from the most recent police press conference:
The death toll has risen to 22.The death toll has risen to 22.
Among the dead are children.Among the dead are children.
A further 59 people are injured and receiving treatment in eight hospitals across Greater Manchester.A further 59 people are injured and receiving treatment in eight hospitals across Greater Manchester.
Police believe the attack was carried out by one man, and are investigating if he was part of a wider network.Police believe the attack was carried out by one man, and are investigating if he was part of a wider network.
The man died at the scene after detonating an explosive device – a suicide bomber.The man died at the scene after detonating an explosive device – a suicide bomber.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.19am BSTat 7.19am BST
7.15am BST7.15am BST
07:1507:15
Police: full statementPolice: full statement
Chief constable Ian Hopkins confirms that 22 people have died and a further 59 have been injured.Chief constable Ian Hopkins confirms that 22 people have died and a further 59 have been injured.
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.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. 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. They are being treated at eight hospitals across Greater Manchester.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. They are being treated at eight hospitals across Greater Manchester.
This is a fast-moving investigation and we have significant resources deployed to both the investigation and the visible patrols that people will see across Greater Manchester as they wake up to news of the events last night. This will include armed officers as people would expect. More than 400 officers have been involved in the operation during the night.This is a fast-moving investigation and we have significant resources deployed to both the investigation and the visible patrols that people will see across Greater Manchester as they wake up to news of the events last night. This will include armed officers as people would expect. More than 400 officers have been involved in the operation during the night.
To remind you, we were called at 10.33pm to reports of an explosion at the Manchester Arena at the conclusion of an Ariana Grande concert. More than 250 calls came in and emergency services were very quickly on scene. Emergency numbers have been established for anyone who is concerned for loved ones who may not have returned home: 0161 856 9400 or 0161 856 9900.To remind you, we were called at 10.33pm to reports of an explosion at the Manchester Arena at the conclusion of an Ariana Grande concert. More than 250 calls came in and emergency services were very quickly on scene. Emergency numbers have been established for anyone who is concerned for loved ones who may not have returned home: 0161 856 9400 or 0161 856 9900.
We have been treating this as a terrorist incident and we believe that while the attack last night was conducted by one man. The priority is to establish whether he was acting alone or as part of a network.We have been treating this as a terrorist incident and we believe that while the attack last night was conducted by one man. The priority is to establish whether he was acting alone or as part of a network.
The attacker, I can confirm, died at the arena. We believe the attacker was carrying an improvised explosive device, which he detonated, causing this atrocity.The attacker, I can confirm, died at the arena. We believe the attacker was carrying an improvised explosive device, which he detonated, causing this atrocity.
We would ask people not to speculate on his details or to share names. There is a complex and wide-ranging investigation under way.We would ask people not to speculate on his details or to share names. There is a complex and wide-ranging investigation under way.
Our priority is to work with the national counter-terrorist policing network and UK intelligence services to establish more details about the individual who carried out this attack.Our priority is to work with the national counter-terrorist policing network and UK intelligence services to establish more details about the individual who carried out this attack.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.33am BSTat 7.33am BST
7.06am BST7.06am BST
07:0607:06
Police: children have diedPolice: children have died
Hopkins confirms that children are among the 22 people confirmed to have died.Hopkins confirms that children are among the 22 people confirmed to have died.
7.04am BST7.04am BST
07:0407:04
Police: sole attacker died at scenePolice: sole attacker died at scene
Chief constable Ian Hopkins says the attacker died in the explosion.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 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”.He says police believe the man was “carrying an improvised explosive device, which he detonated causing this atrocity”.
6.59am BST6.59am BST
06:5906:59
Death toll rises to 22Death toll rises to 22
Greater Manchester police says 22 people have died, and 59 injured.Greater Manchester police says 22 people have died, and 59 injured.
6.55am BST
06:55
We are expecting an update shortly from Greater Manchester police’s chief constable, Ian Hopkins, which will be covered here as it happens.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is also due to speak within the next hour, and we’ll have that on the live blog too.
Updated
at 7.34am BST
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 on Tuesday 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.
Updated
at 7.34am BST
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.
Updated
at 7.35am BST
6.24am BST
06:24
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
06:19
Michael Safi
One of the missing concertgoers 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
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. 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:
They’re normal teenage children who were going to see their favourite artist and it’s ended in absolute carnage.
Updated
at 7.36am BST
6.08am BST
06:08
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.
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. 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 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.
Updated
at 7.37am BST
5.54am BST
05:54
What we know so far
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.
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.
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:
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.
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
“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.
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.
5.46am BST
05:46
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.
“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
at 5.54am BST
5.36am BST
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:
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.
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.”
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.”
Updated
at 7.38am BST