Last night’s terrorist attack at Manchester Arena was the worst terrorist attack on British soil since 7/7 – here is what we know so far.
- 22 people have been killed and 59 have been injured in the blast.
- There are many children and young people among the dead.
- The attack was carried out by a lone male suicide bomber who detonated an improvised explosive device. He died at the arena.
- A 23-year-old man has been arrested in South Manchester in connection with the investigation into the attack, Greater Manchester Police have confirmed.
- Security services believe they know his identity and are investigating whether he acted alone or was part of a network.
- The explosion rocked the Manchester Arena at the conclusion of a performance by the American star Ariana Grande.
- Manchester Arena said the explosion happened outside the venue, as people began streaming from the doors.
- A vigil was held at 6pm on Tuesday, in Albert Square, Manchester.
- Speaking after chairing a Cobra meeting on Tuesday Morning Prime Minister Theresa May said the attack was “among the worst terrorism we have experienced in the United Kingdom”.
- It is the worst terrorist attack in the UK since 56 people were killed in the 7/7 London bombings in 2005.
- Greater Manchester Police said they were called to the venue at around 10.33pm and approach roads were closed.
- They said the blast was “being treated as a terrorist incident”.
- More than 400 officers were deployed on the operation throughout Monday night.
- Manchester Victoria station was evacuated and trains cancelled.
- The victims are being treated at eight hospitals across Greater Manchester, Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said.
- President Donald Trump expressed his “deepest condolences” to the victims and branded the attackers “evil losers”.
- Extra police officers have been put on duty in London in the wake of the attack, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick announced.
- Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester metro mayor, called the atrocity “an evil act”.
- All national General Election campaigning was suspended after the explosion.
- A controlled explosion was carried out by police at the Cathedral Gardens area near Manchester Arena shortly after 1.30am.
- Police said the suspicious item at the centre of the controlled explosion was just abandoned clothing.
- The suicide bomber has been named as Salman Abedi, 22
- Saffie Roussos, eight; John Atkinson, 26, and Georgina Bethany Callander, 18, have all been named as victims who lost their lives in the attack
- These people are still missing - click here for more details