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Manchester Arena: children among 22 dead in suicide attack at Ariana Grande concert – latest Manchester Arena: children among 22 dead in suicide attack at Ariana Grande concert – latest
(35 minutes later)
10.33am BST
10:33
Manchester police has again urged the public to avoid the city centre while emergency services work at the scene of the attack.
Please avoid Manchester city centre as emergency services still working at the scene of last night’s incident at Manchester Arena
pic.twitter.com/9NaaVVQay3
Updated
at 10.36am BST
10.31am BST
10:31
Our flag has been lowered as a mark of respect for those affected by last night's terror attack. Our thoughts & prayers are with Manchester. pic.twitter.com/RM4d1cRvQI
10.29am BST
10:29
Channel 4 News has been speaking to AJ Singh, one of the Manchester taxi drivers who offered free rides to those caught up in the attack.
“Manchester, we’re glue. We stick together when it counts,” he said.
Taxi drivers, hotel workers and the emergency services have worked through the night to help those caught up in the Manchester attack pic.twitter.com/tElF2ekm41
10.23am BST
10:23
Manchester University is advising that some exams may be disrupted but that students should assume they will go ahead as scheduled.
10.21am BST
10:21
This is from Federica Mogherini, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.
Fear won't prevail. European youth will continue to enjoy their love for life, freedom & joy, together. #Manchester pic.twitter.com/ybNHmQPvl2
Updated
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10.17am BST
10:17
Channel 4 News’s Michael Crick says this is not the first terrorist attack during a general election campaign.
This isn't first terrorist attack in an election. In 1979 INLA murdered Airey Neave 2 days after no confidence vote which caused 1979 poll
Updated
at 10.22am BST
10.16am BST
10:16
Nadia Khomami
Concert-goers have criticised security at the Manchester Arena, with some saying bags were not checked.
Nikola Trochtova, a Czech woman who was at the Ariana Grande concert in the venue, told Czech public radio that “there was absolutely no security check”.
She added: “They let us get in without any check if we have anything with us … the only thing they were interested in was if we had any bottles of water with us. They almost didn’t check our bags, they didn’t take a look.”
The Associated Press reports Trochtova as saying she was leaving the venue when she heard an explosion at the entrance, but only found out what had happened when she returned to her hotel.
Others have posted on social media about what they deemed to be lax security checks at the venue, with mixed reports as to whether bags were checked upon entrance to the sold-out 21,000-person capacity stadium.
@Harry_Styles @BBCBreaking I was at the arena in Manchester and their only check your bag not you and anyone can walk in with things under a coat 😡
One Twitter user said: “The last 3 times I’ve seen a show at Manchester arena, they didn’t check my bag even though I had a backpack on.
“For One Direction, they just kind of jiggled my bag, ‘feeling’ if there was anything harmful. Had a 1L bottle of Lucozade, didn’t open my bag.
Didn’t even check my bag at all for Little Mix nor 5SOS, despite my bag being full and quite heavy.”
Another said: “Being there at the concert in Manchester, I’m not surprised someone was able to take something into the arena. Security was horrendous … Only a bag check, no metal scanners or patdowns for anyone entering through the Manchester Victoria entrance of the arena.”
Being there at the concert in Manchester, I'm not surprised someone was able to take something into the arena. Security was horrendous.
Agnes Bergman wrote:
We were at the Ariana Grande concert. Just exited when the bang went off. Ppl were panicking. There was only bag check. Nothing else.
Updated
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10.16am BST
10:16
Theresa May is expected to make a statement outside No 10 within the next half an hour or so. She has been chairing a meeting of Cobra, the government’s emergency committee.
There is no prospect of parliament being recalled because, following the dissolution of parliament for the election, there are no MPs at the moment.
According to the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn, May will then travel to Manchester.
The PM is going to Manchester today to thank police and rescue workers, after giving a statement at 10.30am #ManchesterArena
Updated
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10.08am BST
10:08
Richard Adams
With the GCSE exam season under way in schools, the examinations regulator Ofqual, said headteachers are best placed to decide whether exams should be postponed.
It said:
“Many students and teachers are likely to have been affected by the tragic events in Manchester last night. Headteachers are best placed to decide whether exams should go ahead as planned.
“We will consider with the exam boards how the provisions that are normally made for students who are unable to sit their exams when planned, or who take their exams but whose performance might be affected, will be applied.
“Students and their parents should seek advice and information from their schools. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.”
Updated
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10.04am BST
10:04
Frances Perraudin
While Manchester city centre is unusually quiet this morning, a lot of people have made their way to work as normal.
The police cordon now only surrounds the area near the arena.
There are lots of dazed parents with their teenage daughters, who appear to have been at last night’s concert, leaving hotels and making their way towards Piccadilly station.
Hayley Lunt and her 10-year-old daughter, Annabel, have just come out of the Premier Inn near the arena. They were at the concert last night and are still shaken. They haven’t slept since they ran to their hotel for safety following the blast.
“It’s surreal. It’s almost like we weren’t there,” Lunt told a huddle of journalists. “It’s like a bad movie. I think it’ll take a few days for us to come to terms with it.”
The pair, who are from near Bradford, were gathering their belongings at the end of the concert when they heard bangs, which they initially took to be gunshots. Lunt says she knew immediately that something terrible had happened.
“It was just hysteria and we just ran,” she says. “We found another young girl who lost her dad and we were just running along the street with her. Then thankfully, she found her dad and we just headed straight here. It was just utter chaos and terrifying.
“It just makes you frightened to take your child anywhere. It was her first proper concert and I’m just thinking, will she want to do anything again.”
Updated
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9.56am BST9.56am BST
09:5609:56
Severin CarrellSeverin Carrell
Scotland’s chief constable has deployed armed police on high visibility patrols in crowded areas, airports and railway stations after stepping up security following the Manchester arena attack. Scotland’s chief constable has deployed armed police on high-visibility patrols in crowded areas, airports and railway stations after stepping up security following the Manchester Arena attack.
Chief Constable Phil Gormley, a former Met police counter-terrorism commander, said: “My thoughts and those of everyone at Police Scotland are with those who have lost loved ones or who were injured in the attack in Manchester. Phil Gormley, a former Met police counter-terrorism commander, said: “My thoughts and those of everyone at Police Scotland are with those who have lost loved ones or who were injured in the attack in Manchester.
“As part of the UK-wide response to these events, Police Scotland continues to review all safety and security plans and operations. This includes ensuring our armed policing and specialist resources are appropriately deployed.“As part of the UK-wide response to these events, Police Scotland continues to review all safety and security plans and operations. This includes ensuring our armed policing and specialist resources are appropriately deployed.
“People will therefore see armed police on patrol at transport hubs and crowded places. There is no intelligence to suggest there is any threat to Scotland but I would ask the public to remain alert and report anything suspicious.”“People will therefore see armed police on patrol at transport hubs and crowded places. There is no intelligence to suggest there is any threat to Scotland but I would ask the public to remain alert and report anything suspicious.”
Updated
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9.55am BST9.55am BST
09:5509:55
These are from Brendan Cox, whose wife, Jo, was murdered by a far-right terrorist during the EU referendum last year.These are from Brendan Cox, whose wife, Jo, was murdered by a far-right terrorist during the EU referendum last year.
Thinking of every family whose lives have been destroyed today by a cowardly hate filled attack. So much pain and so pointless.Thinking of every family whose lives have been destroyed today by a cowardly hate filled attack. So much pain and so pointless.
The pain these attacks inflict is profound & real, & it lasts long after the headlines have moved on.The pain these attacks inflict is profound & real, & it lasts long after the headlines have moved on.
But the cause they seek to advance is going to fail. They try to divide us. But we will not divide. We will pull together & live our livesBut the cause they seek to advance is going to fail. They try to divide us. But we will not divide. We will pull together & live our lives
Britain will respond as it always does under attack; with love for the bereaved, unity & resolve. They will not change us. They will not winBritain will respond as it always does under attack; with love for the bereaved, unity & resolve. They will not change us. They will not win
For those who are supporting bereaved kids there are organisations there to help. Like https://t.co/r0Kg9SCxu9 & https://t.co/9Eiq0PRS3gFor those who are supporting bereaved kids there are organisations there to help. Like https://t.co/r0Kg9SCxu9 & https://t.co/9Eiq0PRS3g
People who use this to push hatred are doing exactly what the terrorists want. Division&hate make us weak, Unity& Resolve make us strong.People who use this to push hatred are doing exactly what the terrorists want. Division&hate make us weak, Unity& Resolve make us strong.
9.54am BST9.54am BST
09:5409:54
Steven MorrisSteven Morris
The dean of Manchester, Rogers Govender, led prayers close to the arena.The dean of Manchester, Rogers Govender, led prayers close to the arena.
Govender explained that normal morning prayers could not take place at the cathedral because it was within the cordon.Govender explained that normal morning prayers could not take place at the cathedral because it was within the cordon.
He said: “We pray for all the people of Greater Manchester at this time. We give you thanks for our city and our city region. We pray for all places of prayer and worship in our city as they become places of refuge and comfort for all of our people.He said: “We pray for all the people of Greater Manchester at this time. We give you thanks for our city and our city region. We pray for all places of prayer and worship in our city as they become places of refuge and comfort for all of our people.
“We pray for ourselves that you fill us with compassion for those who suffer violence. We pray you give us a renewed sense of what a gift it is to live each day in peace and freedom. Help us not to allow ourselves to be diminished by fear and make us instruments of your peace in our homes, our communities and in this great city.”“We pray for ourselves that you fill us with compassion for those who suffer violence. We pray you give us a renewed sense of what a gift it is to live each day in peace and freedom. Help us not to allow ourselves to be diminished by fear and make us instruments of your peace in our homes, our communities and in this great city.”
The Dean of Manchester cathedral, Rogers Govender, has led prayers at the cordon. pic.twitter.com/WDxGQjTSvrThe Dean of Manchester cathedral, Rogers Govender, has led prayers at the cordon. pic.twitter.com/WDxGQjTSvr
A city councillor, Patrick Karney, read Psalm 125, which ends with: “Peace be on Israel” and added: “Peace be on Manchester.”A city councillor, Patrick Karney, read Psalm 125, which ends with: “Peace be on Israel” and added: “Peace be on Manchester.”
Teenage girls, some with their mothers, are beginning to leave the hotels near the arena where they spent the night.Teenage girls, some with their mothers, are beginning to leave the hotels near the arena where they spent the night.
Karen Moore, from Derby, who was with her daughter Molly, said neither had slept a wink. They had booked into a hotel, but became disorientated after leaving the arena and found themselves in the foyer of a different hotel. “They told us we’d better stay there and gave us quilts and pillows,” said Moore.Karen Moore, from Derby, who was with her daughter Molly, said neither had slept a wink. They had booked into a hotel, but became disorientated after leaving the arena and found themselves in the foyer of a different hotel. “They told us we’d better stay there and gave us quilts and pillows,” said Moore.
Mother and daughter were at the front of the arena when they heard the explosion. “Everyone was screaming, completely hysterical,” Moore said. “We just want to get home now – it’s been terrible, just awful.”Mother and daughter were at the front of the arena when they heard the explosion. “Everyone was screaming, completely hysterical,” Moore said. “We just want to get home now – it’s been terrible, just awful.”
Mums and daughters leaving hotels and heading home following Manchester attack. pic.twitter.com/C7UK6LUf4rMums and daughters leaving hotels and heading home following Manchester attack. pic.twitter.com/C7UK6LUf4r
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.59am BSTat 9.59am BST
9.51am BST
09:51
Helen Pidd
Our northern editor, Helen Pidd, has just spoken to an A&E doctor at Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) who has come in on his day off to offer his services.
He said many consultants came in unprompted during the night to help deal with what appeared to be a roughly equal number of child and adult casualties.
The injuries ran the gamut from “major trauma” to cuts and scratches, he said. A triage system at the arena decided which patients to send to which hospital.
MRI took all the major trauma cases not involving head injuries, which were taken to Salford Royal (often known locally as Salford Hope.)
The doctor, who asked not to be named, said he did not know if the bomber was treated at MRI. “We don’t get told these things. We just get on with treating everyone as best we can,” he said.
Meanwhile, Give Blood NHS, has urged the public to keep appointments, particularly if they are group O negative. But it says it has the blood required for now.
In response to last night's tragic incident in #Manchester - we have all the blood required for hospital patients at the present time. pic.twitter.com/EWNAKH5mrO
Updated
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9.45am BST
09:45
Carmen Fishwick
If you’ve been affected by the suicide bomb attack in Manchester, you can share your experiences with us.You can fill in our encrypted form here, anonymously if you wish. Or you can share photographs and video with us using GuardianWitness, by clicking on the blue button here, or at the top of this blog. Your security is most important – so please think about this before submitting content.
9.41am BST
09:41
Harriet Sherwood
Faith leaders and community organisations across the UK have condemned Monday night’s attack.
Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, tweeted his condolences. “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,” he wrote.
David Walker, the bishop of Manchester, said: “What makes this latest atrocity particularly dreadful is the deliberate choice of a concert known to attract very young fans. Many lives will be lived out, impacted by this tragedy for long years to come. Others have had decades of life ripped away from them.
“There is a proper anger and rage in the face of events like this. Our challenge will be to direct that rage and anger to be a force for good. We will rally around the victims and their families. We will unite across our diversity, drawing close especially to any that the terrorists would seek to separate us from. And we will rebuild and repair the damage to our city, as we have done before.”
Churches in Greater Manchester would be open for people to pray today, he added.
Harun Khan, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “This is horrific, this is criminal. May the perpetrators face the full weight of justice both in this life and the next.
“I pay tribute to the police and emergency services who have worked valiantly to save lives last night. They were helped by civilians who rushed in to offer their support. I urge all those in the region and around the country to pool together to support those affected.”
The counter-extremist organisation Faith Matters said that actions against groups promoting Islamist and victimisation narratives had rarely been effective “when they create a fertile ground for mindsets who believe that they are being targeted by the government because they are Muslim. This causes them to become more and more isolated and drawn to further extremist rhetoric”.
Founder Fiyaz Mughal added: “We are moving into another phase given the Manchester killings. For years, government has had its hands tied behind its back and worried about legal action against it if it acts against groups. Manchester should be a turning point and a realisation that terrorists will not stop their murder of innocent people.
“We have to ensure that groups promoting Islamist and far-right extremist rhetoric are challenged, shown for the hypocrites that they are and that they are a fundamental threat to our democracy.”
John Arnold, the Catholic bishop of Manchester, said such an attack “can have no justification”. The general assembly of the Church of Scotland opened in Edinburgh with prayers and silence for the victims of the attack. “That young people and children, with others, could be the subject of what police are now treating as a premeditated act of violence is beyond comprehension. There is no cause, political or religious, that justifies actions of senseless brutality, anywhere or at any time,” said the moderator Derek Browning.
The European Jewish Congress condemned the attack. It “demonstrates once again that the enemies of civilisation have no boundaries,” Moshe Kantor, the EJC president, said. “This was a concert attended by mostly young people and children and is a ghastly reminder that terrorism sees all of us as potential targets, regardless of age, religion, nationality or background.”Bhai Amrik Singh, the chair of the Sikh Federation UK, said: “The suicide bomber who mindlessly targeted innocent young people in the Manchester Arena must have been deranged.
“I would like to applaud Sikhs living and working in Manchester who immediately came to the support of those caught up in the terror attack. This ranged from Sikh taxi drivers who drove people away from the danger to our Gurdwaras, who opened their doors to help strangers.”
Updated
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9.37am BST
09:37
The commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, Cressida Dick, has confirmed that more police are being deployed in London.
In a statement she said:
“This is an utterly appalling attack. My thoughts are with the people of Manchester as they try to come to terms with the horrific events that took place in their city last night. Our colleagues from Greater Manchester police and their emergency services showed huge bravery as they ran towards the confusion and danger.
“We are providing every possible support through the counter-terrorism network as investigators work tirelessly to understand what has happened.
“Here in the capital we put extra police officers on duty as Londoners started their journeys into work. This will continue for as long as it is needed, and the mix of armed and unarmed officers are there to reassure.
“Looking ahead to the weekend – a normal busy and vibrant weekend in our city – we are working with all those planning events to make sure we are doing all we can.
“Terrorists seek to spread fear and undermine our way of life. We must work together to stop that from happening. If you have suspicions, tell us; if you see something that concerns you, report it. Together, we can protect London.”
Updated
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9.35am BST
09:35
Daniel Boffey
Speaking in Brussels for a meeting of EU finance ministers, the chancellor, Philip Hammond, said:
Obviously I woke up this morning to the terrible news of this barbaric attack in Manchester. It is, as far as we know, a terrorist incident. We are treating it as such. My thoughts are with the victims and their families, and the people of Manchester. And I’d like to pay tribute to the emergency services who have done a great job throughout the night and are continuing to work at the scene. The government’s emergency committee Cobra will be meeting in the next hour or so, and I shall attend the Ecofin meeting now and then return to London at lunchtime.
Hammond was due to give a speech to European business leaders but cancelled his plans.
Updated
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9.31am BST
09:31
Severin Carrell
The parents and friends of two girls from the Hebridean island of Barra, Laura MacIntyre and Eilidh MacLeod, both 15, have issued urgent appeals after they went missing after the Manchester attack.
Laura Macintyre’s father Micheal, who works for the fish farm multinational Marine Harvest, issued an urgent request for help to trace his daughter on Twitter .
Please...please reetweet. Looking for my daughter and her friend . Laura Macintyre and Eilidh Macleod #manchesterattack pic.twitter.com/1N0cikPQEf
Angus MacNeil, the Scottish National party MP for the Western Isles, knows the MacIntyres. He said his daughter had had sleepovers with Laura MacIntyre. MacNeil said he had spoken to the fathers of both girls this morning. “I just can’t begin to get to the depths of their worries,” he said. “They are without doubt missing.”
Very worried about 2 missing girls from Island of Barra who were in Manchester last night.Laura MacIntyre & Eilidh MacLeod. Please Share pic.twitter.com/2gdFlmZGAs
He said Eilidh MacLeod’s father was flying from Benbecula to Manchester while members of the MacIntyre family were also making their way to the city
Updated
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9.27am BST
09:27
Trump: 'wicked ideology must be obliterated'
Here’s what Trump said in full:
I extend my deepest condolences to those so terribly injured in this terrorist attack and to the many killed and the families – so many families of the victims.
We stand in absolute solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom. So many young beautiful, innocent people living and enjoying their lives murdered by evil losers in life. I won’t call them monsters because they would like that term. They would think that’s a great name. I will call them, from now on, losers, because that’s what they are. They are losers. And we will have more of them. But they are losers, just remember that.
Our society can have no tolerance for this continuation of bloodshed, we cannot stand a moment longer for the slaughter of innocent people. And in today’s attack it was mostly innocent children. The terrorists and extremists and those who give them aid and comfort must be driven out from our society for ever.
This wicked ideology must be obliterated and I mean completely obliterated, and the innocent life must be protected. All civilised nations must join together to protect human life and the sacred right our citizens to live in safety and in peace.
Updated
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9.18am BST
09:18
Trump expresses solidarity with UK
Donald Trump has condemned the attack. Speaking in Bethlehem he said: “We stand in absolute solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom.”
He said those responsible for the attack were “losers” and “wicked”.
Updated
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9.10am BST
09:10
Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, has added to the international chorus of condolence for Britain.
Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to the British Prime Minister following Manchester bomb attack
9.09am BST
09:09
These are from David Cameron, the former prime minister.
My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with all the victims of last night's horrendous attack in Manchester and their loved ones. (1/2)
I praise and thank our brave emergency services and thoughtful, caring, resolute Manchester community. #standtogether (2/2)