Facebook turns on Safety Check feature after Manchester explosion (FB)

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Facebook has activated its Safety Check feature following an explosion in Manchester Arena that killed 22 people and left more than 50 injured.

Dave Thompson/Getty ImagesThe explosion occurred around 10:30 p.m. BST (5:30 p.m. ET) as thousands of people were leaving an Ariana Grande concert.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said officials are "working to establish the full details" of the what police believe is an "appalling" terrorist attack.

Safety Check asks people in the area of the incident if they are safe, and publicly marks them as such if they say they are. Users can see which of their friends have marked themselves safe, and asks those in the area if they are.

Facebook has activated Safety Check more than 300 times in the last year, according to CNET. It was also turned on during the Westminster terror attack and after Hurricane Matthew ripped through the Caribbean, killing hundreds of people on the island of Haiti. It was first deployed in 2014.

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See Also:

• Theresa May was warned by Manchester police officer that cuts risked terror attack in the city

• 6 arrested in Manchester attack as UK officials say they're 'furious' at Americans leaking info on the investigation

• What a 'nail bomb' is and why they are terrifying improvised weapons

SEE ALSO: 19 dead in suspected terror attack at Ariana Grande concert in Manchester