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'We've almost run out of tears': Polish parents killed in Manchester attack leave behind daughters aged 20 and 12

Marcin and Angelika Klis are confirmed dead - Facebook
Marcin and Angelika Klis are confirmed dead - Facebook

Marcin and Angelika Klis, Polish parents of a student at York College, have been confirmed dead after the Manchester attack.

Marcin, 42, and Angelika,  39, were at the concert to pick up their children.

Their 20-year-old daughter Alex had posted a plea for help on Facebook after they didn't contact her following the attack at the Ariana Grande concert on Monday night.

Witold Waszczykowski, the Polish foreign minister, has confirmed that a couple from the country had died in the attack.

Victims of the Manchester suicide bomb attack named, in pictures

They had arranged to meet their children at the entrance where the attack occurred to take them to their home in York.

The pair leave behind two daughters, Alex and 12-year-old Patrycia.

Mr Waszczykowski told RMF FM: "The parents came after the concert to collect their daughters and unfortunately we have information that they are dead. The children are safe.’

He added: "We are appealing to Poles living in Manchester to take extra care and follow the advice of local authorities."

The family have been contacted but said they would not be making any comment at this time.

A women at the family home, who did not give her name, said: “It is a distressing time for the girls.”

A friend told the Daily Mail:  "It's just so sad - these girls are now orphans. 

'It is now down to Alex to look after her sister, you never expect it to happen on your doorstep.

"They are just crying and crying, we're all sad - we've almost run out of tears now."

Dr Alison Birkinshaw, principal and chief executive of York College, said: "Everyone at York College is shocked and saddened to learn that the parents of one of our students, Alex Klis, both died during the Manchester attack.

Explosion rocks Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, in pictures

"This is devastating news for Alex and her family, the whole college and the wider community.

"We are in touch with Alex and will do whatever we can to support her and her family.

"The college has also arranged counselling and other support for students and staff affected by the news and will work with the wider networks in the city to do whatever is needed to help all those affected."

Dr Birkinshaw added: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Alex and her family, and York College students and staff will do whatever we can to help and support Alex at this awful time."

Alex has not posted since making the appeal except for sharing an ITV article about her missing parents on Tuesday.

A number of users have since written on the post expressing their condolences at the news of her parents death with a number written in Polish.

Carmen Espejo said: “Oh Alex...im so so sorry!!!i vant tell you how angry and upset i am!xxxx hope you have plenty of support.much love huni (sic).”

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Joe Gough said: “Hope your okay Alex Klis how can someone affect someone in a way like this, something needs to be done now!! I hope your okay Alex if you need literally anything I'm here R.I.P.”

Eleanor Hardy said: “My thoughts are with you Alex Klis Patrycia Klis! I love you both so much and I will be here for you both every step of the way! Cant believe it they were taken far to soon and didnt deserve any of this:( most down to earth people and always laughing    RIP (sic).”

Marcin Klis was a cab driver at York Cars Taxi Service. A colleague from his workplace said: "It is all very raw right now – we are waiting for the owner of the company to come in.

"I’m not going to give any information out, out of respect for his family.

"It is worse for his family, I’m more concerned about his family right now. I’m more concerned about his daughter."

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