Manchester Arena bombing live: Terror attacker named as Salman Abedi
At least 22 people have died and dozens left injured after an “appalling terror attack” at the Manchester Arena during an Ariana Grande pop concert. Here are the latest updates:
Here are the latest updates:
• At least 22 people killed and more than 100 injured, including 12 children
• Suicide bomber named as Salman Abedi
• Isis has claimed responsibility
• ‘Evil losers’: Donald Trump responds to attack
• Katie Hopkins reported to police for hate speech tweet
• First victim named as Georgina Callander
• Video shows moment concert-goers flee in terror
• Eyewitnesses: ‘People were lying on the ground covered in blood’
• People in Manchester open their homes to victims
• An emergency number is available for those who are concerned about loved ones or anyone who may have been in the area: 0161 856 9400
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Here is how the events of the night unfolded:
Monday, 6pm: Doors open at Manchester Arena in the north of the city centre. US pop singer Ariana Grande is on the bill for a sell-out concert at the 21,000-capacity venue. Fans, many of them teenage girls, excitedly share selfies as they wait for the show to begin.
7.30pm: Show’s scheduled start time. After a performance from support act BIA, an American rapper, Grande takes the stage.
10.30pm Show’s scheduled finish. Thousands of fans begin to file out of the arena’s four exits.
A “huge bomb-like bang” is heard at the arena. Witnesses describe being knocked from their feet by an explosion and seeing dozens of injured, possibly dead, people including children lying on the floor. Others describe panic as concert-goers run for exits.
10.35pm: Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are called to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena. Dozens of emergency services vehicles stream into the area.
10.55pm: Police urge people to stay away from the area as responders deal with a “serious incident”.
11.46pm: Police say there have been a number of confirmed fatalities.
Tuesday, 1.10am: Nineteen people are confirmed dead and around 50 others injured following the suspected explosion police say is being treated as a terrorist incident.
1.35am: A controlled explosion is carried out on a suspicious item in the Cathedral Gardens area near Manchester Arena. It is later confirmed to be abandoned clothing.
2.15am Prime Minister Theresa May says her thoughts are with the victims and families of those affected in “what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack”.
3.04am Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, Greater Manchester Police, says: “My thoughts are very much with those who have been injured and lost their lives. We are currently treating this as a terrorist incident until we have further information. This is clearly a very concerning time for everyone.
I want to thank people for their support and ask them to remain vigilant.”
4am Campaigning has been suspended in Britain’s national election after a deadly explosion at Manchester Arena.
7am Greater Manchester Police confirm death toll has risen to 22, and that the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.
9am An emergency meeting of Cobra is convened.