Manchester attack: What we know so far after suicide bombing leaves at least 22 dead and 59 injured

Explosion: Police were called to Manchester Arena shortly after 10.30pm
PA
Chloe Chaplain24 May 2017

At least 22 people were killed in an explosion that tore through Manchester Arena following a pop concert on Monday night.

A further 59 people were injured in the attack which happened shortly after the conclusion of Ariana Grande’s show.

Britain is now on critical terror alert with military troops set to bolster police forces amid fears attacker Salman Abedi, who died in the attack, did not act alone.

Prime Minister Theresa May has raised the threat level to the highest possible rating, meaning another atrocity is expected imminently.

The threat level will remain at a heightened state while the investigation into the attack continues, said Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

The military will be providing armed guards for key locations across London including Buckingham Palace, Downing Street, the Palace of Westminster and embassies, Scotland Yard said.

Seven victims have been publicly named, including children and a 28-year-old man. A Polish couple who had gone to Manchester Arena to collect their daughters were also among the victims, the country's foreign ministry has said.

20 people remain in "critical care" across Manchester with people suffering from "horrific injuries" including major organ damage and potential loss of limbs, Jon Rouse of the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership has said.

This is what we know so far:

  • Police were called to an explosion at Manchester Arena at 10.33pm after an Ariana Grande concert attended by more than 21,000 people.
  • More than 400 armed officers were deployed to the arena.
  • In a statement given on Tuesday morning Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said that 22 were killed and 59 were injured in the explosion.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins giving a statement to the media
PA
  • Seven victims have been publicly named by people close to them. Among the first to be named were teenagers Olivia Campbell, 15, from Bury, and Georgina Callander from Chorley.
Victim: Georgina Callander
  • Saffie Rose Roussos, eight, was also among the victims.
Victim: Saffie
  • Theresa May chaired a meeting of the emergency committee Cobra on Tuesday morning
  • By 1pm Islamic State had claimed responsibility for the atrocity.
Salman Abedi has been identified as the man behind the suicide bombing in Manchester
  • Bomber Salman Abedi, 22, was killed in the explosion. He was known “up to a point” by security services, said Home Secretary Amber Rudd.
Armed police: Officers swooped on a house where Salman Abedi is believed to have lived
PA
  • Police also carried out a precautionary controlled explosion in the Cathedral Garden area of the city at 1.30am but later confirmed it was not a dangerous item.
  • Police also arrested a 23-year-old man near a Morrisons in Chorlton, south Manchester, in connection with the inquiry.
  • Manchester Arena said the explosion happened outside the venue, as people began streaming from the doors.
  • It is the worst terrorist attack in the UK since 56 people were killed in the 7/7 London bombings in 2005.
  • An emergency phone number has been set up in response to the attack, for people trying to find out information.
  • Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have agreed to suspend General Election campaign work until further notice.
  • Mrs May said the incident was being treated as an "appalling terrorist attack" and is working to "establish the full details" of what happened.

Manchester Arena explosion aftermath - In pictures

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  • Mr Corbyn described the attack as "horrendous" and said: "Today the whole country will grieve for the people who have lost their lives."
  • Ariana Grande has reportedly flown home to Florida after the deadly terror attack at her Manchester concert.
  • The 23-year-old pop singer said she was left emotionally "broken" by the explosion.

Manchester Arena Terror Attack: Victims

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