Manchester Arena terror attack LIVE: Attacker dead, police investigating whether he acted alone

Manchester Police updates media on investigation

“This has been the most horrific incident we have had to face in Greater Manchester and one that we all hoped we would never see.

Families and many young people were out to enjoy a concert at the Manchester Arena and have lost their lives. Our thoughts are with those 22 victims that we now know have died, the 59 people who have been injured and their loved ones. We continue to do all we can to support them. They are being treated at eight hospitals across Greater Manchester.

This is a fast-moving investigation and we have significant resources deployed to both the investigation and the visible patrols that people will see across Greater Manchester as they wake up to news of the events last night. This will include armed officers as people would expect. More than 400 officers have been involved in the operation during the night.

To remind you, we were called at 10.33pm to reports of an explosion at the Manchester Arena at the conclusion of an Ariana Grande concert. More than 250 calls came in and emergency services were very quickly on scene. Emergency numbers have been established for anyone who is concerned for loved ones who may not have returned home: 0161 856 9400 or 0161 856 9900.

We have been treating this as a terrorist incident and we believe that while the attack last night was conducted by one man. The priority is to establish whether he was acting alone or as part of a network.

The attacker, I can confirm, died at the arena. We believe the attacker was carrying an improvised explosive device, which he detonated, causing this atrocity.

We would ask people not to speculate on his details or to share names. There is a complex and wide-ranging investigation under way.

Our priority is to work with the national counter-terrorist policing network and UK intelligence services to establish more details about the individual who carried out this attack.”

Suspected Islamic State sympathiser tweeted about attack hours earlier

After a suspected suicide blast at the Manchester Arena killed 19 people, unconfirmed media reports claim that a Twitter handle of a possible Islamic State sympathiser tweeted on the attack hours before the explosion took place. The twitter handle is now suspended.

Account posted about the Manchester incident before it happened supposedly. Now suspended from twitter. Their twitter handle is @Owys663 pic.twitter.com/mzXikSh9d4

— Super Monkey (@SuperMonkeyNews) May 23, 2017

Manchester mayor speaks up on the attack 

Andy Burnham, the new mayor of Greater Manchester, called the attack an “evil act”. He was quoted by The Guardian as saying, “We will do whatever we can to support them. We are grieving today but we are strong.”

Police not yet revealing the name of bomber

While the Manchester Police has now confirmed that the attack was a lone wolf attack, it has not yet revealed the name of the bomber yet. The bomber had died while detonating the bomb, the police added.

White House media head Sean Spicer says Trump being updated on Manchester issue

US president Donald Trump, currently on a visit to Israel, is being updated on the situation in Manchester, White House spokesman Sean Spicer twitted.

National Security Team is providing updates to @POTUS on situation in #manchesterexplosion

— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) May 23, 2017

Ariana Grande’s manager Scooter Braun issues statement

pic.twitter.com/BOHKwMx4wW

— Scott “Scooter” Braun (@scooterbraun) May 23, 2017

Manchester attacker died while detonating bomb, says Police

The man behind a terror attack at a pop concert in Manchester late Monday died when he detonated his device, killing 22 others including children and injuring 59 people, police said on Tuesday.

Greater Manchester Police chief Ian Hopkins said the man had set off an “improvised explosive device” as the audience was leaving the concert by US pop star Ariana Grande.

AFP

Death toll rises to 22; bomber died while detonating bomb: Police

#BREAKING Toll from Manchester terror attack rises to 22 dead; attacker died detonating device: police

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 23, 2017

Xi Jinping condemns attack, says China and UK ‘stand together’

Chinese president Xi Jinping condemned the Manchester attack in his telegram to Queen Elizabeth. According to CCTV, Jinping expressed deep condolences to the innocent victims, and sincere sympathy to the injured and relatives of the dead. “The Chinese people and British people are standing side by side firmly during this difficult time,” the telegram added.

Extra troops will be deployed after the attack 

Assistant chief constable Robin Smith of the British Transport Police (BTP) was quoted by The Guardian as saying that there will be heightened security around the country, especially at railway stations.

Australia PM Malcolm Turnbull condemns attack

“This incident, this attack, is especially vile especially criminal, especially horrific because it appears to have been deliberately directed at teenagers. This is an attack on innocence. Surely there is no crime more reprehensible than the murder of children. This is a direct and brutal attack on young people everywhere, on freedom everywhere.”

Terror strike a handiwork of some expert

Terror analysts said the attack could have been masterminded to cause maximum damage. “The actual placement of the suicide bomber or device was put there with a specific intent to kill so this was a well-thought out plan. This was a certainly a very successful operation from the eyes of whoever carried this off,” Fred Burton, chief security officer at Sratfor told CNBC.

Chronology of terror attacks in Britain 

After Irish republicans ended regular bombings in 2001, terror attacks in Britain became more rare. Most attacks since have been carried out by homegrown Islamists, the deadliest remains the July 2005 assault on London transport.

Here is the chronology of terror attacks in the last 15 years. Read the full report here more.

White House official links Manchester attack to 2013 killing

White House official Sebastian Gorka has tweeted that the Manchester attack might be linked to the killing of British soldier Lee Rigby, who was stabbed and hacked to death in London in 2013 by two Muslim converts. The attack had taken place on 22 May 2013. 

NOTE: Manchester explosion happens on 4th anniversary of the public murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby.

Dates matter to Jihadi terrorists. pic.twitter.com/dRhyaWN9AV

— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) May 23, 2017

Westminster lone wolf attack killed four in March 2017

Before the Manchester attack, UK faced a lone wolf attack in March this year, when a knife-wielding man killed four at the Westminster.

A knife-wielding man went on a deadly rampage in the heart of Britain’s seat of power Wednesday, plowing a car into pedestrians on London’s Westminster Bridge before stabbing a police officer to death inside the gates of Parliament. Five people were killed, including the assailant, and 40 others were injured in what Prime Minister Theresa May condemned as a “sick and depraved terrorist attack.”

Lawmakers, lords, staff and visitors were locked down after the man was shot by police within the perimeter of Parliament, just yards (meters) from entrances to the building itself and in the shadow of the iconic Big Ben clock tower. He died, as did three pedestrians on the bridge, and the police officer.

Read the full report here.

Indian politicians condemn to the Manchester blast 

Strongly condemn the despicable attack in Manchester. My heart goes out to the families of the innocent victims. #UnitedAgainstTerror

— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) May 23, 2017

Appalled and shocked by the terror attack in Manchester. All the nations of the world must unite against terror in all forms, worldwide.

— Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) May 23, 2017

Manchester was rocked by terror attack in 1996

Manchester city was rocked by a terror attack in 1996, when the Irish Republican Army (IRA) detonated a truck-bomb in the heart of the city, injured hundreds.

Deadliest blast since 2005 comes weeks before General Election 

Manchester Arena attack is the deadliest attack in Britain by militants since four British Muslims killed 52 people in suicide bombings on London’s transport system in July 2005. The blast also came two and half weeks ahead of an election in which Prime Minister Theresa May is predicted by opinion polls to win a large majority.

Read more here.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon issues statement

“My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those who have been affected by this barbaric attack in Manchester. The Scottish government is working with Police Scotland and the UK government to ensure that we have a full understanding of the developing situation. I will convene a meeting of the Scottish government’s resilience committee this morning to receive an update and to consider any implications for Scotland.”

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has also postponed its unveiling of the election manifesto after the Manchester terror attack.

Injured being treated in various Manchester hospitals

According to The Guardian, North West ambulance services was quoted as saying that 60 ambulances attended Manchester Arena in the wake of the blast. It previously confirmed that 59 people had been taken to hospitals across Greater Manchester, with some “walking wounded” treated at the scene.

Manchester taxis offering free rides to affected people

A number of Manchester taxi services say they are offering free rides to people trapped by the incident.

The taxi companies posted messages about the free rides on Twitter after an explosion at Manchester Arena after an Ariana Grande concert on Monday night. The blast killed 19 people and injured dozens more.

The service could also be used by people trying to get to local hospitals to look for loved ones.

AP

Manchester residents trend #roomformanchester on Twitter to help victims 

Here are a few tweets by Twitterati: 

About 15 mins walk from the Arena, behind Spinningfields. I can come over to collect. Plenty of space to crash. #roomformanchester

— Saj Chowdhury (@SajChowdhury) May 22, 2017

The Crescent Pub Salford just round the corner from arena our doors are open if anyone needs anywhere #ManchesterArena #RoomForManchester

— Jenn (@_jenniferwiles) May 22, 2017

Double bed & double air bed available at our flat near Piccadilly if anyone affected needs a place to stay #roomformanchester #manchester

— Sarah Donohoe (@donohoe_sarah) May 22, 2017

UK leaders react to the Manchester attack 

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said, “London stands with Manchester – our thoughts are with all those killed and injured tonight and our brave emergency services.”

Nigel Farage, who led the anti-immigration UK Independence Party through Britain’s divisive vote to leave the European Union tweeted, “Horrified at the bombing in Manchester. No doubt we will find out who the perpetrator is soon. My thoughts are with those affected.”

AP

Canada’s Justin Trudeau tweets after attack

Canadians are shocked by the news of the horrific attack in Manchester tonight. Please keep the victims & their families in your thoughts.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 23, 2017

Ariana Grande is a social media phenomena

The 23-year-old Grande, true to her youthful fan base, is a social media phenomenon with 105 million followers on Instagram and 45.6 million followers on Twitter. Her fans, proud “Arianators,” were among those who took to Twitter with prayers and tears.

AP

Manchester residents help distressed parents after blast

Frantic loved ones of young people missing after an explosion at an Ariana Grande concert have taken to Twitter and Instagram with their photos and pleas for help.

Many Manchester residents responded early Tuesday with offers of shelter and details on locations where displaced concert-goers had been taken in.

AP

“We are working with our foreign counterparts to obtain additional information about the cause of the reported explosion as well as the extent of injuries and fatalities.

US citizens in the area should heed direction from local authorities and maintain security awareness. We encourage any affected US citizens who need assistance to contact the US embassy in London and follow department of state guidance.

At this time, we have no information to indicate a specific credible threat involving music venues in the United States. However, the public may experience increased security in and around public places and events as officials take additional precautions.

We stand ready to assist our friends and allies in the UK in all ways necessary as they investigate and recover from this incident.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this incident.”

Full Statement of the Manchester Police 

“I can confirm the details of events tonight that we currently know. At around 10.33 pm last night we received reports of an explosion at the Manchester Arena in the city centre. It was at the conclusion of an Ariana Grande concert.

Currently we have 19 people confirmed to have died and around 50 people injured.

The injured are being treated at six hospitals across Greater Manchester. My thoughts are with all those who have been affected and we are doing all we can to support them.

Officers from GMP and emergency services are working at the scene and are supporting those affected. We are coordinating the response from GMP headquarters.

An emergency number is available for those who are concerned about loved ones or anyone who may have been in the area. It is 0161 856 9400.

We are currently treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise. We are working closely with the national counter-terrorism policing network and UK intelligence partners.

This is clearly a concerning time for people but we are doing all we can, working with local and national agencies to support those affected and gather information about what has happened tonight. As you will understand, we are still receiving information and updates, so will provide more details when we have a clearer picture.

I want to thank people for their support and would ask them to remain vigilant and if they have any concerns report them in confidence to us on the anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789321.

It is important people avoid the area so that we can effectively deal with the incident.”

US Department of Homeland Security closely working with UK Intel partners 

DHS Statement on Incident at Manchester Arena → https://t.co/GOnxIvEf2p pic.twitter.com/B9NlUipLfD

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 23, 2017

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

— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017

Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena @CCIanHopkins pic.twitter.com/GEABqAk5rr

— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017

Local businesses turn good Samaritan for lost children   

Amid the panic after the explosion at the concert, some local businesses have taken in hundreds of displaced children and concertgoers’, whose parents are concerned about their whereabouts and are taking to Twitter to seek more information.

United States confirms suicide blast

United States intelligence claims the attack was carried out by a single man and that the attack may be a suicide blast. The US intelligence agencies are reportedly helping the UK security agencies in investigating the attack.

Manchester Arena opened in 1995

Manchester Arena, the largest indoor arena in Europe, opened in 1995 and is a popular concert and sporting venue. It has a total seating capacity of 21,000.

Will treat it as terror attack: Manchester Police 

The Manchester Police’s Chief Constable Ian Hopkins confirms that the Ariana Grande concert attack will be treated as a terror strike. The police officials also added that they are co-operating with counter-terror officials.

Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

Heartbreaking news from Manchester. My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones or been injured in this barbaric attack.

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 23, 2017