People share #MissingInManchester to find loved ones

From Digital Spy

People are coming together on social media to help track down missing loved ones following the attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester on Monday night (May 22).

Parents and relatives are using the hashtags #MissingInManchester and #ManchesterMissing in a bid to find out information on the dozens of people who have not been located since the explosion, which killed 22 people and injured 50 others.

One of the missing fans whose photo has been circulated on social media is Olivia Campbell. The teenager attended the popstar's concert as part of a birthday present for her friend, Adam, who was found in hospital following the blast, according to Twitter users.

Loved ones searched for Olivia at the Holiday Inn in Manchester, where around 50 concert-goers were reportedly being sheltered, but she wasn't there.

Her mother Charlotte told CNN that she last spoke to her daughter just a few 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," she said. "I don't know how people can do this to innocent children."

Charlotte also told Good Morning Britain on Tuesday morning: "She's not turned up yet. Calling the hospitals, the hotels where people say children have been taken. I've called the police. There's no news. And I've just got to wait."

Another missing person whose photo has been shared widely on social media is Martyn Hett. His brother posted his photo on Twitter saying he hasn't been in contact with anybody.

Photos of two youngsters from South Shields have also been distributed after friends and family of missing Chloe Rutherford, 17, and Liam Curry, 19, put out a call for help.

Their friend Amy Ridley told ITV News that she spent the night using social media to try to find them. "I've been up all night messaging, sharing, phoning everybody and anybody to find them. I pray and plead for everyone to get sharing to help find these two amazing people," she said.

Members of the public have also been checking social media for updates on the missing people, and are urging others to retweet photos of those missing.

There was good news for some. A Twitter user confirmed that the hashtag #HelpFindSophie helped find a missing girl with that name early on Tuesday morning.

In a statement, Greater Manchester police said that more than 400 officers were involved in the "fast-moving investigation" into the incident.

"As people are waking up to this tragic news on what is a sad day for Greater Manchester, the officers and staff from Greater Manchester Police and the other emergency services will continue to do all they can to help get us through the difficult days ahead," Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said.

Emergency numbers have been set up for anyone who is concerned for loved ones. These are 0161 856 9400 or 0161 856 9900.

The police have also asked anyone with images or footage from the concert that could be of assistance to upload them to Ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk or Ukpoliceimageappeal.com.

Our thoughts are with the families, victims and the city of Manchester today.

Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Twitter account and you're all set.

You Might Also Like

• EastEnders: 31 new spoiler pictures as Mick discovers he's been betrayed and Jack makes a drastic plan

• Emmerdale: 19 new spoiler pictures as Robert devastates Aaron and Tracy makes a big confession

• Coronation Street: 14 new spoiler pictures as Ken's attacker gets caught out and Sarah reports Nathan to the police