Manchester terror attack - Police confirm children killed as death toll rises to 22
POLICE have confirmed 22 people have been killed during the attack at the Manchester Arena last night.
Police confirm 22 people have died in Manchester Arena attack
Over 400 police officers were deployed across Greater Manchester last night which killed 22 people and left 59 people injured.
The police have confirmed the blast which happened just after 10.30pm outside the venue in a public area, and is currently being treated as a terrorist incident until police know otherwise.
US singer Ariana Grande, who was not injured in the blast, had just finished her performance when the explosion occurred
Speaking on Sky News, Ian Hopkins, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, said: “Many young people were out to enjoy a night at Manchester Arena and very sadly lost their lives.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed 22 people have dead in the blast at the Ariana Grande concert
“Our thoughts are with those 22 victims we now know have died.
“The 59 people who have been injured and their loved ones.
“We continue to do what we can to support them and they are being treated at eight hospitals across Greater Manchester.
“As you will appreciate this is a fast moving investigation and we have significant resources deployed, to both the investigation and the visible patrols people will see across Greater Manchester as they wake up to the new of the events of last night.
Terrifying moment EXPLOSION is heard at concert in Manchester
Many young people were out to enjoy a night at Manchester Arena and very sadly lost their lives
“This will include armed officers as people would expect, and more than 400 officers have been deployed on this operation throughout the night.”
If it is confirmed as a terrorist attack, it would be the worst to hit Britain since the July 7 2005 suicide bomb attacks in central London in which 52 people were killed.
The area around the stadium remains on lockdown as authorities continue with their investigations.
Theresa May will suspend her General Election campaign on Tuesday to focus her attention on the Manchester Arena blast.
In a statement, the Prime Minister said: “We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack.
“All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected.”
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Mr Hopkins continued: “To remind you, we were called at about 10.33pm to reports of an explosion at the Manchester Arena.
“This was at the conclusion of the Ariana Grande concert. We then received more than 240 calls and emergency services responded very quickly to the scene.
“Emergency numbers have been established for anyone that is concerned for loved ones who may not have returned home.
“We have been treating this as a terrorist incident and we believe at this stage 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.”
Greater Manchester Police says anyone worried about family members should contact 0161 856 9400.
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