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At least 22 killed and 119 injured in Manchester attack at Ariana Grande concert- UPDATE+VIDEO

At least 22 people were killed and 59 wounded in an explosion at the end of a concert by U.S. singer Ariana Grande in the English city of Manchester on Monday. Police are calling it “the most horrific incident in Greater Manchester’s history.”

UPDATE: The father of the Manchester attacker was arrested in Tripoli.

UPDATE: The brother of the Manchester attacker arrested in Tripoli was planning “terrorist attack” in the Lybian capital.

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UPDATE: Manchester officials raised to 119 the number of people who sought medical treatment after Monday night’s attack, saying 20 of them had critical injuries. Jon Rouse of the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership said 64 people were still hospitalised, many with serious wounds that will require “very long-term care and support,” according to Associated Press.

UPDATE: A fifth person has been arrested in connection with a suicide bombing in the northern English city of Manchester which killed 22 people.

The man, who was carrying a package, was arrested in the town of Wigan, 17 miles (27 km) to the west of Manchester city centre.

“We have made an arrest in Wigan this afternoon in connection with the investigation into the horrific incident at Manchester Arena,” a spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said.

“When arrested, the man was carrying a package which we are currently assessing.”

UPDATE: Hashem Abedi, the younger brother of Manchester attacker, was arrested in Tripoli by Counter-Terrorism Force on suspicion of Islamic State links. The force, known as Rada, detained Hashem Abedi, who was born in 1997, on Tuesday evening, spokesman Ahmed Bin Salem told Reuters.

UPDATE: British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to resume her election campaign on Friday, a party spokesman said.

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UPDATE: British Prime Minister Theresa May received condolence calls from several foreign leaders,  her spokesman said in a statement. May took calls from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, King Salman of Saudi Arabia, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

UPDATE: British police are investigating a network in their probe into the Manchester suicide bombing, the head of Greater Manchester Police said.

“I think it’s very clear that this is a network that we are investigating,” Chief Constable Ian Hopkins told reporters.

“And as I’ve said, it continues at a pace. There’s extensive investigations going on and activity taking place across Greater Manchester as we speak.”

UPDATE: British police are hunting for accomplices who may have helped Salman Abedi build a suicide bomb which killed 22 people at a concert in Manchester on Monday, a source with knowledge of the investigation said to Reuters.

UPDATE: French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said Manchester bomber had “proven” links to Islamic State.Asked if he believed Abedi had the support of a network, Collomb said: “That is not known yet, but perhaps. In any case, (he had) links with Daesh (Islamic State) that are proven.”

UPDATE: Police arrests three more men in South Manchester in connection with Monday’s attack.

UPDATE: Britain’s Parliament said it would close to the public with immediate effect due to an increased security threat.

UPDATE: British investigators told French authorities that the suspect in theManchester bombing had probably travelled to Syria, French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said.

UPDATE:  Britain’s interior minister said she believed the suicide bomber, who killed 22 people at an Ariana Grande concert in the English city ofManchester, had recently returned from Libya.

UPDATE: The suicide bomber who killed 22 people and injured 64 after a pop concert in Manchester was known to the security services and likely did not act alone, interior minister Amber Rudd said.

UPDATE: Monuments from around the world have been lit up in the colours of the Union flag in tribute to the victims of the Manchester bombing.

UPDATE: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip take part to a moment of silence at Buckingham Palace paying tribute to the victims of the Manchester attack.

UPDATE: Born in Manchester in 1994, Abedi is the second youngest of four children his parents were Libyan refugees who came to the UK to escape the Gaddafi regime.

UPDATE: Manchester police announced that they had arrested a 23-year-old man in south Manchester in connection with the attack. Another man was arrested at the Arndale Center, the city’s largest shopping mall, which was briefly evacuated earlier Tuesday. One of those arrested is Abedi’s brother, one of the security officials said.according to Politico.

UPDATE: The suspected suicide bomber behind Monday’s attack on a concert venue in Manchester has been identified as Salman Abedi, U.S. officials told Reuters on Tuesday.

Two of the officials who have been in contact with British authorities said the suspect has been identified as Salman Abedi or Salman Ramadan Abedi and was believed to have travelled toManchester from London by train.

A third U.S. government source said the bomber had been identified as Salman Abedi.

UPDATE: British Prime Minister Theresa May spoke to several foreign leaders after a suicide bomber killed at least 22 people in an attack on a pop concert in the northern English city of Manchester, her spokesman said on Tuesday.

The spokesman said May had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and would likely have calls with other world leaders.

UPDATE: In a statement made outside her Downing Street offices after a meeting with security and intelligence chiefs, May said police believed they knew the identity of the bomber.

UPDATE: British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday that the police and security services were looking into whether others were involved in a suicide bomb attack which killed 22 people in the northern English city of Manchester.

“I’ve been talking to the police about the investigation that is continuing, and they and the security services are working, obviously, to identify whether there was a wider group of people involved in this particular incident,” May told BBC Television.

UPDATE: Extra armed officers will be deployed at Wembley football stadium and Twickenham’s Rugby stadium, London police confirms.

UPDATE: Prince Charles said he is shocked by Manchester attack and expressed his condolences.

“My wife and I were so profoundly shocked to learn of the truly dreadful event which took place in Manchester last night”, Prince Charles said in a statement. “That such a large number of people, including so many young concert-goers, lost their lives or have suffered so much in this appalling atrocity is deeply distressing and fills us with intense sadness.”

“Words cannot adequately express what so many families must be feeling at this incredibly difficult time and our most heartfelt sympathy is with all those who have so tragically lost loved ones or who have been affected in some way,” Prince Charles concluded.

UPDATE: PM Theresa May says resources are necessary for law enforcement and police will look at venues so that citizens can enjoy summer activities.

UPDATE: US intelligence says they have not yet confirmed a link between Islamic State and the Manchester attack, despite IS claiming responsibility.

“I might mention that ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack in Manchester although they claim responsibility for virtually every attack. We have not verified yet the connection,” Dan Coats, the Director of National Intelligence, told a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, using an acronym for Islamic State.

UPDATE: Vigil set in Albert Square, beginning at 6 P.M. local time. Manchester arena remains cordoned off.

UPDATE: Nicola Sturgeon, in a statement briefing the Parliament on the latest news regarding the Manchester attack said that Scotland police have also mobilised as a precaution measure.

Two teenagers form the Island of Barra are still missing.

UPDATE: Toronto shows support to Manchester with message in front of UK embassy.

UPDATE: Witnesses in the southern suburb of Whalley Range said armed police had surrounded a newly-built apartment block on a usually quiet tree-lined street.

Mussab Amari said he saw lots of police cars and vans. “They just came in and surrounded everywhere. Everyone was armed.”

One resident who has lived in the block for a year said: “A variety of people live here: Arabs, English, Kurds, from lots of different nationalities.”

“I think all of them have families,” said the man, who declined to be named, standing outside with his partner and son.

Asghar Ali, 51, who lives opposite the building the police had cordoned off, described the street as quiet and “a good area” where rents could reach around 700 pounds ($910) a month.

UPDATE: President Macron signs book of condolences at British embassy in Paris.

UPDATE: Manchester police says that they have executed warrants in Whalley Range and Fallowfield in relation with last night’s attack. Officials also mentioned, in a brief statement that a controlled explosion was carried out in Fallowfield.

UPDATE: Victoria Station is likely to  remain closed for 24 hours, officials say.

UPDATE: The name of the 23-year-old man suspected to be the one that detonated the device at Manchester Arena is Salman Abedi, media reports.

UPDATE: Several of the injured have been seriously wounded and will need months of recuperation.

“There are a number of individuals who have very, very serious injuries and are requiring intensive care and people who are going to be in hospital for a long time in terms of that treatment,” Jon Rouse, Chief Officer of the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership said.

UPDATE: President Trump shows support for Britain on Twitter and according to reports, the two leaders agreed that the attack was “particularly wanton and depraved”.

“The President reassured the Prime Minister that Americans stand with the people of the United Kingdom and that our resolve will never waiver in the face of terrorism,” the White House said.

UPDATE: North West of England Ambulance Service’s medical director says 12 seriously injured children were taken to one hospital.

David Ratcliffe said that the 12 children were under 16-years-old.

“12 children went to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital… The other hospital received mostly adults and then there were walking wounded which will have gone to different centres, some of which would have been children,” North West Ambulance Service Medical Director David Ratcliffe said

UPDATE: Media reports 8-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos as second victim of Manchester attack.

According to the Guardian, the family has been notified and the school that Saffie Rose frequented has also been informed. Staff is offering counseling to grieving children.

UPDATE: British press reports a police raid at Royston Court in Carlton Road. According to the media, the man suspected of detonating the device lived in a flat here, constructed two years ago and occupied by refugees.

According to the Guardian, the person running the management company which maintains the buildings said that the flats are largely occupied by students and families.

UPDATE: U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement that American authorities are working closely with their British counterparts in the identification of those responsible for “this atrocity.”

UPDATE: Islamic State claims responsibility and says the attack at Manchester Arena was carried out with a device planted at the concert.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for Monday’s deadly attack at the Manchester Arena and said it was carried out with an explosive device planted at the concert, according to a statement the group posted on Telegram.

“One of the soldiers of the Caliphate was able to place an explosive device within a gathering of the Crusaders in the city of Manchester,” the statement said

UPDATE: French President Emmanuel Macron says his country will mobilise all means to help Britain and officials say that he will visit the British embassy sometime later today.

French President Emmanuel Macron told British Prime Minister Theresa May he had mobilised all means of co-operation to help Britain in the fight against terrorism, his office said on Tuesday after a 10-minute phone call between the two leaders.

Later on Tuesday Macron was to pay a visit to the British embassy in Paris which is just a few steps away from the presidential palace, an official close to Macron said

UPDATE: British security service MI5 says it remains relentlessly focused, in numerous current operations, on doing all it can to combat the scourge of terrorism.

Britain’s domestic intelligence agency MI5 said it was revolted by a suicide bomb attack in Manchester.

“Everyone at MI5 is revolted by the disgusting terrorist attack in Manchester last night,” Director General Andrew Parker said in a statement on MI5’s website.

“We remain relentlessly focussed, in numerous current operations, on doing all we can to combat the scourge of terrorism and keep the country safe,” he said

UPDATE: Queen Elizabeth condemned last night’s attack saying that the whole nation is shocked and that her sympathy goes out to those affected by what she calls an “act of barbarity.”

“The whole nation has been shocked by the death and injury in Manchester last night of so many people, adults and children, who had just been enjoying a concert, the Queen said in her statement. “I know I speak for everyone in expressing my deepest sympathy to all who have been affected by this dreadful event and especially to the families and friends of those who have died or were injured.”

The monarch also thanked the emergency services for their response and expressed her admiration for the people of Manchester for how they acted in this time of crises.

“I want to thank all the members of the emergency services, who have responded with such professionalism and care. And I would like to express my admiration for the way the people of Manchester have responded, with humanity and compassion, to this act of barbarity,” the Queen concluded her statement.

UPDATE: Manchester police confirms arrest of 23-year-old man, linked to Manchester attack.

UPDATE: Arndale Centre is being reopened. Witnesses report that employees and customers are being allowed back into the building while police are removing the cordon of protection.

Early reports said that people were evacuating after hearing a loud “bang” inside the center.

Police say they have arrested a suspect but officials do not believe that this man has any connection with last night’s attack.

UPDATE: According to a BBC report, a 23-year-old woman has been arrested in relation with the Manchester attack.

UPDATE: Arndale Centre near Manchester Arena evacuate after what police call “an incident.”

Police in the northern English city of Manchester are investigating an incident at the Arndale shopping centre in the centre of the city, an officer at the scene said on Tuesday.

Witnesses told Reuters that people reported hearing a bang and they started evacuating the building. People were seen holding hands while exiting the centre.

UPDATE: Theresa May announced another Cobra meeting and threat levels remain severe.

UPDATE: “The terrorists will not win,” says Theresa May calling the attacker a coward. She thanked officials for their work during the night and this morning and their continuous effort to help and treat the wounded. She also praised citizens for their solidarity.

“All acts of terrorism are cowardly attacks on innocent people but this attacks stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice, deliberately targeting innocent, defenceless children and young people,” May said as she stepped out after chairing the Cobra meeting.

UPDATE: Theresa May confirms information about improvised explosive device being detonated by a suicide bomber at the Manchester Arena after the Ariana Grande concert.

PM says that a lot of the victims are children and teenagers and told reporters that some of the injured are in serious condition.

May also said that the authorities believe that they have identified the attacker but no details will be provided at this time.

She also said the attacker had carried out the attack alone but it was not yet clear if others had helped in the preparation.

UPDATE: Manchester to hold a vigil for victims and their families, mayor confirms.

UPDATE: Police are asking citizens to avoid the Manchester Arena area as investigation continues. Police Office has also lowered its flag.

UPDATE: Manchester attacks prompts France to take extra precaution measures at future public events.

“We have given a certain number of instructions to the organisers of sporting and cultural events to make sure our citizens are best protected everywhere,” French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said in a televised statement

UPDATE: U.S. Embassy lowers flags at half mast in sign of respect.

UPDATE: Manchester witnessed immense solidarity in the aftermath of the attack with hotels and restaurants opening up their doors to fleeing teenagers while citizens befriended and sheltered strangers. Taxi drivers offered free rides to scared passengers trying to get out of harms way.

UPDATE: E.U.’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Frederica Mogherini says fear will not prevail.

UPDATE: Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, Cressida Dick said that extra police officers have been put on duty in the Capital, armed and unarmed police will be on patrol. Metro is also providing help through the counter terrorism network to Manchester Police.

“Here in the Capital we put extra police officers on duty as Londoners started their journeys into work. This will continue for as long as it is needed, and the mix of armed and unarmed officers are there to reassure”, she said. “Looking ahead to the weekend – a normal busy and vibrant weekend in our city – we are working with all those planning events to make sure we are doing all we can.

“Terrorists seek to spread fear and undermine our way of life. We must work together to stop that from happening. If you have suspicions, tell us; if you see something that concerns you, report it. Together we can protect London,” commissioner stated.

UPDATE: British media names first victim of Manchester attack. Georgina Bethany Callander, an Ariana Grande super-fan, has reportedly lost her life in the explosion. Her death has been announced on Twitter by actor Sean Maguire and friends started expressing their condolences.

UPDATE: According to media reports, Donald Trump called the perpetrators of the Manchester attack “evil losers.” He told reporters that the U.S. stands with Great Britain.

Trump, speaking after talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the town of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, said the United States stands in “absolute solidarity” with the British people.

“I extend my deepest condolences to those so terribly injured in this terrorist attack, and to the many killed and the families, so many families of the victims,” Trump said. “So many young, beautiful innocent people living and enjoying their lives murdered by evil losers in life.”

UPDATE: President Vladimir Putin sends his condolences to the British people and Kremlin confirms that Putin and Theresa May have talked in the aftermath of the Manchester attack.

UPDATE: Former Prime Minister David Cameron reacted on Twitter offering his prayers to the victims and their families while praising emergency services.

UPDATE: Flags are flying at half mast over Downing Street, British media reports as Theresa May is preparing for Cobra meeting.

E.U. Commission has also decided to fly flags at half mast in sign of solidarity with the British people.

UPDATE: The Greens and Scottish Labour have also confirmed suspending their campaigns after Manchester attack.

UPDATE: Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, calls the attack “barbaric” and “sickening”. Khan confirms extra police on London streets  as a safety measure and security measures are being reviewed by Metropolitan Police.

UPDATE: London Coach Station reopened, police announced.

British police reopened London’s Victoria Coach Station and the surrounding streets on Tuesday after earlier closing the area due to a suspect package.

“The reported suspect package at Victoria Coach Station has now been cleared. Not suspicious. Thanks for your patience,” London’s Metropolitan Police said on Twitter.

UPDATE: Angela Merkel says attack only strengthens resolve to work together against terrorists.

“This suspected terrorist attack will only strengthen our resolve to continue to work together with our British friends against those who plan and carry out such inhumane deeds,” she said. “I assure the people of Britain: Germany stands at your side,” she added.

UPDATE: European Commissioner Jean Claude Juncker has expressed his sympathies after the Manchester attack and said E.U. will work together with British authorities to put an end to terror attacks.

“Today we mourn with you. Tomorrow we will work side by side with you to fight back against those who seek to destroy our way of life”, said Juncker in a statement.

UPDATE: Mayor of Great Manchester Andy Burnham held a press conference talking about the attack. He confirmed he will be attending the Cobra meeting later today.

Burnham thanked law enforcement officials for their prompt reaction and also congratulated the citizens of Manchester that opened up their homes to fleeing concert-goers. He stated that this solidarity was the best response authorities could ever hope for.

“Our first thoughts are with the families of those killed and injured and we will do whatever we can to support them,” said mayor Andy Burnham.”It is hard to believe what happened here in the last few hours and put into words the shock, anger and hurt we feel today.”

UPDATE: Islamic State supporters took to social media to celebrate the blast and some encouraged similar attacks elsewhere

UPDATE: Chinese President Xi Jinping sent his condolences to Queen Elizabeth.

UPDATE: Archbishop of Canterbury reacts on Twitter to Manchester attack.

UPDATE: London police react to the Manchester attack with extra patrols on the streets of the capital.

London’s Metropolitan Police says people will ‘see more police in London today.’ “Stay vigilant and report anything suspicious,” the Metropolitan Police tweeted.

UPDATE: French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Tuesday called on French citizens to be vigilant following the suicide attack at a concert in Manchester, which he described as an “abominable crime.”

UPDATE: The large police cordon at Manchester Arena and Victoria Train Station will remain in place for some time, police officials say, as the forensic investigation is still ongoing.

Citizens are asked to plan their routes accordingly taking into account official information form the Transport of Great Manchester twitter account which is continuously updated.

Victoria Coach Station in London has been closed due to a suspect package found near-by, British media reports.

“A suspect package is being checked out,” a Metropolitan police spokesman said.

Buckingham Palace Road and other streets in the area are closed, the BBC reports.

UPDATE: Concert-goers say that panic set in after the explosion. The blast was powerful, one witness told reporters.

A husband, that arrived at the concert hall to pick up his family told BBC that he saw bodies on the floor of the arena after the explosion.

UPDATE: US Press Secretary says President Trump is being briefed on the situation during his foreign trip. First Lady Melania Trump also expressed her support for those affected by the attack.

UPDATE: School buses are operating as normal, Manchester City Council announced on Twitter. Officials are trying to reassure citizens saying that the city is open for business and that fear will not prevail.

UPDATE: Dashboard cam shows the moment of the explosion. A bright light can be seen going off in the arena, situated on the left side of the car.

UPDATE: Other countries are considering tightening security at future events.

United States, Japan and Singapore are considering tightening security ahead of major theatre and sports events following a suicide bomb attack in Britain that killed at least 22 people.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it was closely monitoring the situation in Manchester and that the U.S. public may experience increased security at public events.

Japan said it had started gathering information. “We have strengthened our position by establishing an information-gathering unit dedicated to international terrorism,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.

In Singapore, the organiser of Britney Spears’ concerts in June said they were considering new measures.

“We are definitely looking at tightening security,” Yogesh Mehta, project manager at IME Entertainment Group, said.

“All our events are licensed by the police. It is normally advised by the licensing department on what precautions to take, how many armed guards we need. So we work closely with them.”

Singapore, which hosts a security summit between June 2-4 bringing together Asia-Pacific defence and military chiefs, made amendments to the Public Order Act last month.

UPDATE: French president said that he will continue to work together with the British government in fight against terrorism.

President Macron’s office confirmed it is in close contact with British authorities and will be kept up with further developments regarding the attack.

“The President of the Republic will pursue with the government, and with British forces, the fight against terrorism,” said the statement

UPDATE: Children are still missing after Manchester attack with friends and families are taking to social media trying to locate their loved ones.

Media outlets are also circulating pictures of children that have been reported missing. According to British media and social media reports, several hotels in the area have provided refugee for scared teens fleeing the arena.

UPDATE: Police are asking citizens to check with local bus, rail and tram operators before heading to work as traffic in Manchester has been affected by last night’s attack.

UPDATE: Manchester Police says attacker died on scene.  He was carrying the explosive device. Children are among the victims of the attack, police confirmed without giving details.

“We believe, at this stage, the attack last night was conducted by one man,” Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said. “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.”

UPDATE: Latest report form Manchester Police confirms 22 dead and 59 injured as a result of the explosion. Chief Constable Hopkins called the incident “most horrific”

“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,” said Chief Constable Ian Hopkins in latest press conference.

UPDATE: Witnesses recall hearing a loud bang and seeing smoke just after lights lit up in the arena.

Witnesses talking to Guardian reporters recall that the explosion happened right after Ariana Grande went behind the curtains and the lights lit up the arena. They reported hearing a bang, seeing the smoke and people started running, trying to escape.

UPDATE: Britain’s main political parties agree to suspend all national campaigning for the June 8 election. 

Paul Nuttal, Ukip leader also said that his party will be suspending the campaign. This comes after Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition Labour Party said in a statement that he talked with Theresa May and they had agreed that all national campaigning for the June 8 election would be suspended.

UPDATE: Sterling falls after the attack in Manchester but European markets have a positive start.

Sterling slipped on Tuesday after the suspected suicide attack, while the euro held gains made after German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was “too weak”. Despite the explosion, European markets are poised for a positive start.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the incident was being treated as a terrorist attack. If confirmed, it would be the deadliest militant assault in Britain since four British Muslims killed 52 people in suicide bombings on London’s transport system in July 2005.

Police responded to reports of an explosion shortly after 10:33 pm at the arena, which has the capacity to hold 21,000 people, where the U.S. singer had been performing to an audience that included many children.

A witness who attended the concert said she felt a huge blast as she was leaving the arena, followed by screaming and a rush by thousands of people trying to escape the building.

“We were making our way out and when we were right by the door there was a massive explosion and everybody was screaming,” concert-goer Catherine Macfarlane told Reuters.

“It was a huge explosion – you could feel it in your chest. It was chaotic. Everybody was running and screaming and just trying to get out.”

Ariana Grande, 23, later said on Twitter: “broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words.” May, who faces an election in two-and-a-half weeks, said her thoughts were with the victims and their families. Her ruling Conservative Party was preparing to suspend campaigning ahead of the election due to the suspected attack.

“We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack,” she said in a statement. “All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected.”

May will hold a crisis response meeting on Tuesday.

Reuters

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