Manchester attack: 22 dead and 59 hurt in suicide bombing

Twenty-two people have been killed and 59 injured in what Theresa May called an "appalling, sickening, terrorist attack" at Manchester Arena.

A lone male suicide attacker set off a homemade bomb in the foyer at 22:33 BST on Monday at the end of a concert by US singer Ariana Grande.

Armed police have arrested a 23-year-old man in Chorlton, south Manchester, in connection with the attack.

The first victim has been named as 18-year-old student Georgina Callander.

She was studying health and social care at Runshaw College in Lancashire.

In a statement in Downing Street, the prime minister said it was "now beyond doubt that the people of Manchester and of this country have fallen victim to a callous terrorist attack" that targeted "defenceless young people".

She said the security services believe they know the attacker's identity but are not yet able to confirm it.

Mrs May has chaired a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee and is expected to travel to Manchester later.

In other developments:

• The explosion happened shortly after Ariana Grande left the stage and afterwards the 23-year-old teen actress-turned-singer, tweeted: "broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words"
• Flags are flying at half mast outside Number 10 and political parties have suspended general election campaigning.
• London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the police presence in the capital would be stepped up
• World leaders have expressed solidarity with the UK, including US President Donald Trump, who called those responsible "evil losers".
• Exam boards are telling schools they can re-arrange GCSE and A-level exams in the wake of the attack.
• Police have established a help centre at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, access Gate 11, for anyone who needs assistance in tracing loved ones.
• Twitter has been flooded with appeals from relatives and friends of missing concertgoers via the hashtag #MissingInManchester, and Facebook has activated a safety check feature so that people can let relatives know they are safe.

The blast happened close to the entrance to Victoria railway and tram station. The station has been closed and all trains cancelled.

Police also carried out a precautionary controlled explosion in the Cathedral Garden area of the city at about 01:32. The force later confirmed it was not a dangerous item.

Originally published on BBC