Manchester Arena Attack: 22 dead and more than 50 people injured in explosion at an Ariana Grande concert

Twenty-two people have been killed and 59 injured in a suspected suicide attack at Manchester Arena.

The blast happened at 22:35pm on Monday (May 22) at the end of a concert by the US singer Ariana Grande.

Greater Manchester Police said the lone male attacker, who died in the blast, was carrying an "improvised explosive device" which he detonated.

Relatives are using social media to hunt for missing loved ones.

Police have set up an emergency telephone number in response to the attack. Please call: 0161 856 9400.

Sixty ambulances attended the incident and those wounded are now being treated at hospitals around the city.

Ariana Grande has spoken out since the attack, saying she is "broken". 

broken.
from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words.

— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017

It has since been reported that Grande has suspended her Dangerous Woman tour, with her upcoming London shows and dates across Europe currently on hold. 

The explosion took place in the foyer of the arena while fans were leaving the show. Prime Minister Theresa May has since confirmed that this is being treated as a terrorist attack, which if confirmed, would be the deadliest attack as such on UK soil since 52 people were killed in the 7/7 suicide bombings in July 2005. 

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins from Greater Manchester Police said: “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 through the Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789321. It is important people avoid the area so we can affectively deal with the incident.”

Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena @CCIanHopkins pic.twitter.com/LDG1wgX2sT

— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017

All trains to and from Manchester have been cancelled, and all national campaigning in the general election has been suspended while Theresa May chairs an emergency Cobra meeting in London into the suspected terror attack. Mrs May, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and all senior politicians have expressed their horror at the attack. 

Article image: Rex