
The suicide bomber who blew himself up at a pop concert killing 22 people including young children has been named as Salman Abedi.

ISIS have claimed responsibility after the terrorist set off a ball bearing bomb at an Ariana Grande concert, in the worst terror attack Britain has seen since the 7/7 London bombings.

Eight-year-old Saffie Roussos, 18-year-old Georgina Callander and 26-year-old John Atkinson were among those killed. Of the injured, at least 12 were children.

There were 59 people taken to hospital, with 60 others treated at the scene.

Traumatised witnesses have told how nuts and bolts tore into young music fans when the bomb was detonated in the foyer area of the Manchester Arena moments after a concert by the US popstar ended.

The bomber - named today as 22-year-old Salman Abedi - was known to authorities. He died at the scene and police carried out a controlled explosion at what is believed to be his home during raids around the city today.

Abedi, the son of an airport security worker, is a Mancunian of Libyan descent.

Eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos (left), 18-year-old Georgina Callander (right) and 26-year-old John Atkinson have been named as three of the 22 victims of the suicide bombing. It is feared many children are among those killed, as well as parents who had accompanied their youngsters to the concert or were picking them up

This is the moment police raided the suburban Manchester home of suicide bomber Salman Abedi this afternoon

Footage emerged today of the moment armed anti-terror police raided Abedi's home in the Fallowfield area of Manchester

A forensics expert leaving Abedi's house this afternoon was seen holding a police issue book called 'Know Your Chemicals'

Security service personnel in camouflage were seen entering the property after police burst through the door today

This photo shows the aftermath of the suicide bomb which ripped through the foyer of the venue killing parents and children

This graphic shows the timeline of the horrifying night at the Manchester Arena which left 22 people dead

Police also raided a house where Abedi's brother, Ismail, lived and arrested a 23-year-old man, prompting speculation that Ismail had been detained.

The police and security services are trying to establish whether Salman worked alone or was part of a wider network that helped him with the bomb.

A school friend told MailOnline he had grown a beard when he last saw him and neighbours claimed he had been 'acting strangely' recently.

Security sources have told MailOnline that initial analysis of the 'sophisticated' device suggests it was made by an expert.

Abedi was born in Manchester on New Year's Eve 1994, the son of two Libyans who came to Britain to escape the Gaddafi regime.

His father, Ramadan Abedi, is a former airport security worker, MailOnline can reveal.

It is understood he has three siblings, two brothers, Ismail and Hashem and a sister, Jomana.

The suicide bomber was heard chanting Islamic prayers in Arabic just weeks before the attack, a neighbour has revealed.

Lina Ahmed, 21, told MailOnline: 'They were a Libyan family. A couple of months ago he [Salman] was chanting the first kalma [Islamic prayer] really loudly in the street. He was chanting in Arabic. He was saying 'There is only one God and the prophet Mohammed is his messenger.'

Another neighbour Roshanay Bukhari said: 'They are a Libyan family. They speak Arabic together and they have Libyan flags in their garden.

'There is a mother, a father and their son Salman. The mother used to teach my younger sister to read the Koran because it us in Arabic.

'They dressed very traditionally, in Islamic clothes. The mother used to wear a headscarf.'

At least two properties in the south of the city have been raided and a 23-year-old man was arrested in Chorlton

Salman and his brother Ismail worshipped at Didsbury mosque, where their father is a well-known figure.

Ramadan is thought to be in Tripoli. His wife, Samia, is undestood to be in Manchester.

Some were shocked by Salman's involvement in the terror attack. One member of Manchester's Libyan community told the Guardian: 'Salman? I'm astonished by this. He was such a quiet boy, always very respectful towards me. His brother Ismail is outgoing, but Salman was very quiet. He is such an unlikely person to have done this.'

However others had a different recollection of the 22-year-old. Mohammed Saeed, the imam of Didsbury Mosque and Islamic Centre, said Salman Abedi had looked at him 'with hate' after he gave a sermon attacking ISIS and Ansar al-Sharia in Libya.

He said a friend was so concerned that he got his adult children to sit beside Salman Amedi in case he attacked the imam.

A huge number of police - including armed officers - carried out a raid on a house in the Fallowfield area of the city today

Leon Hall, who went to school with Abedi, told MailOnline he saw the killer last year and said he had grown a beard. He also said the jihadist was a keen Manchester United fan.

Mr Hall said: 'I saw him last year and he had a beard thing going on. We didn't speak but just nodded to each other. I don't remember seeing him with beard before.'

'He always had a bit of an attitude problem. I can't say I really liked the man.'

Mr Hall said Abedi lived in a housing association owned home about two miles from the scene of Monday night's terror attack.

Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said this afternoon: 'I can confirm that the man suspected of carrying out last night's atrocity has been named as 22-year-old Salman Abedi. However, he has not yet been formally identified and I wouldn't wish, therefore, to comment further.

He added: 'The priority remains to establish whether he was acting alone or as part of a network.'

It can be now confirmed:

The attack was carried out by a suicide bomber named as Salman Abedi, who detonated an improvised explosive device. He died at the arena.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack. Security officials are attempting to work out whether Abedi was part of a terror cell.

Three of the 22 victims have been named as college student Georgina Callander, eight-year-old schoolgirl Saffie Roussos, 26-year-old John Atkinson.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the 'callous' attack was 'among the worst terrorism we have experienced in the United Kingdom'.

President Donald Trump expressed his 'deepest condolences' to the victims and branded the attackers 'evil losers'.

A controlled explosion was carried out on Tuesday afternoon, as part of the investigation, at Abedi's address in Fallowfield.

Explosives experts were brought in to an otherwise quiet residential street where it is believed the suicide bomber lived

Neighbours have said they believe the occupant of the house raided by police today was of Libyan original

Residents of Elsmore Road in Fallowfield, where Abedi lived, have described being ordered to remain indoors by police

Forensics officers emerge after inspecting the horrific scene where a suicide bomber killed 22 people as they left a pop concert at the Manchester arena last night

Eight-year-old victim was 'simply beautiful' Eight-year-old victim Saffie Roussos has been described as 'simply beautiful'. Chris Upton, the headteacher of her school, Tarleton Community Primary, said: 'The thought that anyone could go out to a concert and not come home is heartbreaking.' It continued: 'Saffie was simply a beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word. She was loved by everyone and her warmth and kindness will be remembered fondly. Saffie was quiet and unassuming with a creative flair. 'Our focus is now on helping pupils and staff cope with this shocking news and we have called in specialist support from Lancashire County Council to help us do that. 'We are a tight-knit school and wider community and will give each other the support that we need at this difficult time.' Advertisement

Earlier, armed police sealed off Elsmore Road, a street in the Fallowfield area of south Manchester, and then carried out a controlled explosion at the terraced house where Salman Abedi lived.

A neighbour of the Fallowfield address told MailOnline: 'There was an explosion and then police with guns rushed into the house.

'It was about 12.10 today. It was really frightening. I heard the explosion and then I went out and got my kids from school.'

A police cordon blocks the entrance to the residential street on south Manchester. The St Kentigerns Primary School is across the main road.

Officers also searched the home of his brother Ismail in the Chorlton area of south Manchester.

They arrested a 23-year-old man near an address where the family had previously lived, prompting speculation that Ismail Abedi had been detained.

A man was handcuffed and sat with his back to a wall near the supermarket car park before being bundled into an unmarked police car, it was said.

Of the street arrest near the supermarket, shopper Nick Yates, 27, said: 'There was a black Mercedes van parked up on the side of the road with six to eight police officers who were in normal clothes.

'They had face masks on and they had a black hats on. They were all stood around by the wall to the car park. I walked around so I could see what was going on and I could see the guy they had arrested.

'They had a guy in handcuffs. He was sat on the floor against the wall and he looked like he was very chilled. He was sitting with his hands behind his back.'

Mr Yates, a graphic designer from Chorlton, in Manchester, said the suspect 'looked like he was an Asian guy and he looked as though he was in his twenties'.

He added: 'He had been on the street and then they stopped him.'

A shop worker at Blue Apple Printing, which is opposite Morrison's, saw the man 'pushed to the ground' and later bundled into an unmarked car.

The shop worker said: 'He was is in his 20s, was around 5ft 6, looked to be Arabic, was wearing dark clothing and a rucksack - I didn't recognise him though.'

Thousands of Manchester's residents attended a vigil at Albert Square in the city centre tonight to remember those who died

The horrific attack - the worst terror atrocity since London's 7/7 bombing - has left Manchester in shock today

Police officers leave tributes at St Ann's Square, Manchester. The city is still trying to comprehend the horror of the attack

A sign a youngster took to the concert has been incorporated into a sea of floral tributes in the city's St Ann's square

Cards left in memory of the victims were signed by local residents. This one read: 'Love will always come through in the end'

Other cities around also held events in memory of those killed in the attack. A minute's silence was held in Peterborough

WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE ATTACKER The suicide bomber who killed 22 people - including children - and injured around 120 at the Manchester Arena has been named as 22-year-old Salman Abedi. Abedi was born in Manchester on New Year's Eve 1994, the son of two Libyans who came to Britain to escape the Gaddafi regime. His father, Ramadan Abedi, is a former airport security worker, MailOnline can reveal. It is understood Salman has three siblings, two brothers, Ismail and Hashem and a sister, Jomana. Unconfirmed reports suggest the whole family apart from the two elder sons recently returned to Libya. Abedi grew up just yards from Whalley Range High School, which hit the headlines in 2015 when twins Zahra and Salma Halane - who were both grade A pupils and aspiring medical students - left their homes and fled Britain to join ISIS in Syria. Advertisement

Hundreds of people are now desperately trying to track down loved ones who went missing in the aftermath of the attack, with police having to tell some parents their children have died.

Witnesses described the terrifying aftermath of the bomb as being 'like a war zone'.

Distressing footage shot on mobile phones captured the chilling screams of fans and the ensuing stampede as fans ran from 21,000-seater stadium.

US star Grande, who escaped unharmed, tweeted she was 'broken', adding: 'From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don't have words.' Her manager Scooter Braun said: 'We mourn for the children.'

The headteacher of the school of the youngest victim named so far, Saffie Roussos, said she was 'simply a beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word'.

Tracey Radcliffe, a leader at 1st Tarleton Brownies, added: 'Saffie was an adorable and lovable little girl - she really was.

'I didn't know her parents, but she was just lovely. No one should go to a gig and not return.'

A close friend of victim Georgina Callander said she died in hospital with her mother at her bedside in hospital.

Another friend tweeted: 'A beautiful girl with the kindest heart & soul, I'll miss you forever, may you rest in a better place than here. I love you.'

Victim Mr Atkinson, from Radcliffe, was leaving the concert at the venue when it was targeted by the suicide bomber.

Friends and family have paid their respects online, describing him as an 'amazing young man'.

Lee Paul posted on Facebook: 'Sleep tight John Atkinson. Thoughts and prayers with all your family and the other 21 people who lost there lives last night.'

Tracey Crolla wrote: 'Thinking of all the Atkinsons at this very sad time John Atkinson you turned into an amazing young man so kind and thoughtful you will be missed by everyone x x.'

Armed officers arrested a man in south Manchester today with police saying the action was linked to the attack

Officers descended on a street in the south of Manchester today to search a house where the bomber is believed to have lived

Officers carried out a controlled explosion at the house before forensics officers moved in and carried out a thorough search

Neighbours said the explosion happened before officers stormed the house around midday today

Forensics officers are coming two properties raided as they attempt to piece together what motivated the suicide bomber

Armed officers guard a second property raided by the police today in Carlton Road, Manchester. A man was arrested nearby

Less than 24 hours after the Manchester atrocity, ISIS claimed responsibility for the murders.

The extremists were quick to call the killer one of their soldiers, as has become the trend in the wake of many recent attacks in Europe.

According to the SITE Intel Group, which monitors jihadist groups, the ISIS statement described the explosion as having taken place at a 'shameless concert arena'.

The statement has been translated as saying: 'With Allah's grace and support, a soldier of the Khilafah managed to place explosive devices in the midst of the gatherings of the Crusaders in the British city of Manchester.

It said the attack was 'revenge for Allah's religion… in response to their transgressions against the lands of the Muslims.

'The explosive devices were detonated in the shameless concert arena. What comes next will be more severe on the worshipers of the Cross and their allies.'

They appeared to wrongly state that a number of explosive devices had been detonated, when police have said the attacker was carrying one bomb.

The bomber is believed to have entered a foyer area of the venue through doors opened to allow young music fans to leave

A man comforts a child wrapped in a white blanket. Lots of other children were seen being cared for by police and passers-by

Bloodied concertgoers were pictured being helped by armed police outside the arena after explosions rang out at the gig

A Twitter account - which was unverified - posted this hours before the attack, warning of a terror attack

But US director of national intelligence Dan Coats said ISIS claims responsibility for 'virtually every attack'.

Commenting on the Manchester attack, Mr Coats told the senate armed services committee the atrocity was 'tragic' and a reminder of the real threat faced by the West and its allies.

Mr Coats said: 'ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack in Manchester, although they claim responsibility for virtually every attack. We have not verified yet the connection.' He said he had just returned to the US after a visit to London where he met intelligence counterparts.

'We spent a significant amount of time discussing threats to our respective homelands.

'It's a tragic situation that we see all too much of in countries around the world, particularly our allies.

'Once again, it reminds us that this threat is real, it is not going away and needs significant attention to do everything we can to protect our people from these kinds of attacks.'

Theresa May and Home Secretary Amber Rudd met Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins in the city this afternoon

Security chiefs say SAS troops are ready to be deployed to any further terrorist acts. Pictured: Armed officers in Manchester

Extra armed police have been deployed in London as authorities seek to reassure the public in the wake of the attack

SAS troops were drafted into Manchester yesterday to support the police as counter terror officers launched a major operation to find friends and relatives of the suicide bomber.

The 20 strong heavily armed team were flown north as part of a contingency plan to counter any surge in extremist violence - such as a hostage situation - that will require military intervention.

Under the direction of the Counter Terrorist Command the soldiers, many of who have worked with specialist police unit in the past few years, were on standby to join undercover teams and armed response units deployed in the city.

The move came as Air Marshall Sir Stuart Peach, the head of the UK's armed forces, told a Cobra meeting that the military was ready to put armed soldiers on the streets if directed by the Prime Minister.

As part of an ongoing high readiness response, codenamed Op Temperer, Army commanders have three infantry battalions of armed soldiers ready to deploy anywhere across the country to support the police.

The Prime Minister is understood to be reviewing a wider intelligence assessment from officers at the Joint Terrorist Analysis Cell, before making any decision on the deployment of armed soldiers on mainland Britain.

The rotation of available soldiers changes on a regular basis with paratroopers from 16 Air Assault Brigade currently listed as the 'in role' force ready to provide additional public security.

Families comforted at Manchester City football stadium Families of those still missing after the Manchester terror attack are enduring an agonising wait for news of their loved ones while holed up in Manchester City's Etihad Stadium. A number of different people have been seen gazing silently out of the glass frontage of the building, some talking on mobile phones. Five Red Cross volunteers who have been specially trained in psycho-social support are inside assisting police with supporting the families, according to a Red Cross spokesman on the scene. 'We are here to provide practical and emotional support to all those affected by the atrocity,' the spokesman said. Volunteers unloaded supplies for those who were being looked after by experts inside the famous stadium this afternoon NHS nurses arrived at the stadium this afternoon to look after witnesses and families caught up in the horrific suicide bombing Earlier, deliveries of food including crisps and pizza arrived and were taken in to the family members inside. Security is tight and the few relatives who have left the stadium today have been escorted to their cars by police. Uniformed and armed police officers as well as nurses and civilian staff have also been seen entering and leaving the stadium. It came as medical staff were receiving support elsewhere in the city as they tried to come to terms with the horrific injuries they witnessed last night. Teams of specialist surgeons worked through the night to try to save those with the worst injuries, leaving them in need of support themselves. The 59 most badly injured victims were taken to eight hospitals across the city by medical staff while about 60 walking wounded were taken to hospitals by relatives Volunteers as Dominos Pizza delivery drivers bring supplies to the Etihad stadium, where victims' families are being comforted The stadium is less than two miles from the arena where the concert was being held when the bomb was detonated last night John Morris, interim director for crisis response in the north of England, would not be drawn on how many people were in the hospitality suite. He said: 'There are people in there who are waiting for news. It's a very distressing place to be, you can imagine the emotions in there are very high. We find in situations like this, families support families.' Mr Morris said volunteers have been rostered to be at the centre on Wednesday. Niall Pemberton, British Red Cross senior emergency response officer, said: 'The atmosphere is very sombre inside but people in there are banding together and supporting each other. 'We obviously have volunteers that are specially trained to support people in situations like this to deal with any of the emotional effects people might have. 'Our role is to try and enable people to come to terms with it themselves and to process it in any way they can. We will be here as long as we are needed.' Advertisement

Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins today said they believe Salman Abedi acted alone and they are trying to establish whether he was part of a network.

He added that children are 'among the deceased' and said this morning: 'This has been the most horrific incident we have had to face in Greater Manchester and one that we all hoped we would never see.

'Families and many young people were out to enjoy a concert at the Manchester Arena and have lost their lives.

'Our thoughts are with those 22 victims that we now know have died, the 59 people who have been injured and their loved ones.

'As you will appreciate this is a fast-moving investigation and we have significant resources deployed to both the investigation and the visible patrols that people will see across Greater Manchester as they wake up to the news of the events last night.'

This graphic shows where the explosion took place, in the foyer area, leading towards Victoria railway station

This distressing picture purportedly shows the inside of the arena after the suicide attack at the Ariana Grande concert - its veracity has been confirmed by the two witnesses

Today's arrest came as traumatised witnesses told of the carnage they saw unfold at the concert venue last night.

Describing the scenes after the blast, a man who was at the scene told how he cradled a dying woman and saw a girl with her legs blown off.

Another witness told MailOnline she saw a young girl screaming 'I don't know where my sister is'.

Witness Jane Hanson, 44, was watching the concert from a box inside the packed arena with her 16-year-old daughter Andrea.

She told MailOnline she heard a 'massive bang' and saw a 'stampede' of people sprint out of the venue with one girl shouting 'I don't know where my sister is'.

She said: 'We were just getting ready to leave and there was a massive bang below. We initially thought it came from the stage but then we saw smoke below us. I saw children hysterically crying and panicking. One man was carrying children in his arms.

'One girl was ran outside the venue and was shouting 'We don't know where my sister is'. Children were just running for their lives. It was blood-curdling.

'It seems that the explosion happened at the front and those who decided to get up and leave just as it finished would have been caught up in the incident. We didn't know which way to turn and I was scared that we would walk down the wrong path.'

Chris Parker, 33, a rough sleeper, said: 'I heard a bang and within a split second I saw a white flash, then smoke and then I heard screaming. There was people lying on the floor everywhere.

'I saw a little girl ... she had no legs. I wrapped her in one of the merchandise T-shirts and I said 'where is your mum and daddy?' She said 'my dad is at work, my mum is up there'.'

He said he thought the child's mother had died from her injuries.

Mr Parker added: 'She passed away in my arms. She was in her 60s and said she had been with her family. I haven't stopped crying. There were nuts and bolts all over the floor. People had holes in their back.'

Concert-goers helped injured people away from the gig last night. Witnesses describe the scene as 'like a warzone'

Crowds of children could be seen streaming outside of the arena throughout the evening as the scale of the attack became clear

A woman sitting on a wall comforts a girl wrapped in a white blanket. Distressing scenes like this one were a reminder of the huge number of young people in the venue

A man comforts a child after leaving the concert hall. Parents faced a frantic time trying to track down their children

Witnesses reported hearing a 'huge bang' at the venue shortly after US singer Ariana Grande's gig finished

Evie Brewster, who had been taken to her first concert by her mother, told MailOnline how the boom of the explosion echoed around the arena at the end of the gig.

'Ariana Grande had just finished her last song and left the stage when a huge explosion sounded,' she said.

'Suddenly everybody started screaming and running for the exit. We could hear the police and ambulance sirens. It was terrifying.

'There were thousands of people trying to get out at once. They were all screaming and crying. The whole place smelt smokey and burnt. The explosion sounded like it was inside the building somewhere.'

Jenny Brewster, Evie's mother, said: 'We were exiting the building when it happened. We'd headed towards the main doors as Ariana was performing the last song because we wanted to beat the crowds, but – as we made our way there - a wall of security men blocked it and told us to go the other way.

'Seconds later they shouted 'RUN!' and the explosion happened right behind them. Hundreds of people were running and screaming. Those men saved our lives.'

Casualties are stretchered out of the concert on Monday evening after a terror attack in the Ariana Grande concert

Two of the walking wounded, Vikki Baker and her 13-year-old daughter Charlotte, hugged at the scene of the attack today

An photo from last night shows emergency services tending to injured people on the platform at Victoria Station

The area was locked down by police this morning as experts examined the scene to establish what happened

The arena is one of the biggest in Europe and parents had brought children from around the country to attend the concert

Forensics officers were brought into the foyer area where the bomb went off this morning as the investigation begun

Scores of police experts were working at the venue today as they recover fragments of the bomb used in the attack

Ariana Grande has attracted an overwhelmingly young fan base ever since appearing as Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon's high school sitcom 'Victorious'. Pictured: Crowds of adults and children leaving Manchester Arena

Pop concerts and nightclubs have been a terrorism target before. Almost 90 people were killed by gunmen at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris during a performance by Eagles of Death Metal in November 2015. Pictured: Concert-goers sit by a wall outside the venue

A boy accompanied by an adult carries a dog outside the arena, where crowds of police were gathered. Greater Manchester Police said they will be releasing a contact number for missing people as soon as possible

After the incident police advised the public to avoid the area around the Manchester Arena, and the train station near the arena, Victoria Station, was evacuated and all trains cancelled

A woman speaks on her phone as a group of concert goers walk past on the pavement. A police officer stays at hand to help direct people away from the scene

'This does not appear to have been a carefully planned attack involving multiple actors, extensive surveillance of the target or exotic materials,' said a U.S. official. Pictured: An armoured police vehicle patrolling near Manchester Arena

Scooter Braun, Ariana Grande's manager, said: 'Tonight, our hearts are broken. Words cannot express our sorrow for the victims and families harmed.' Pictured: A makeshift emergency services base outside Manchester Central Fire Station

Video footage showed thousands of people fleeing in tears from the venue, many covered in blood, after the concert finished. Many people appeared to have lower-limb injuries.

Witness Abby Mullen from Airdrie, who was at the event, also described the carnage.

'As we were leaving a bomb or explosion went off centimetres in front of me,' she said. 'People's skin and faeces where everywhere including in my hair and on my bag.

'I'm still finding bits of God knows what in my hair. You never ever expect these things to happen to you but this proves it can happen to anybody.

'That sound, the blood and those who were running around clueless with body parts and bits of skin missing will not be leaving my mind any time soon or the minds of those involved.'

Officers watch on as a Royal Logistics Corps bomb disposal robot moves into place behind a security cordon outside Manchester Arena

No militant group has claimed responsibility so far but Islamic State supporters celebrated on social media. Pictured: Police patrolling the Manchester streets

Crowds of people were seen outside the venue speaking on mobile phones, presumably to contact loved ones or tell relatives they were ok

Manchester Arena said on its website that the blast struck outside the venue as concertgoers were leaving. Pictured: Children holding hands walking away from the scene

May is due to chair a meeting of the government's COBRA emergency committee later Tuesday. She and other candidates suspended campaigning for Britain's June 8 election after the blast. Pictured: A child being cared for by police

Extra police on the streets of London Scotland Yard has put extra armed officers on duty in London in the wake of the Manchester bombing. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick condemned the attack as 'utterly appalling' as she announced the additional security in the capital. London has been on high alert since the Westminster atrocity two months ago. Ms Dick said: 'We are providing every possible support through the counter-terrorism network as investigators work tirelessly to understand what has happened.' Advertisement

One woman, Laura, 22, told MailOnline: 'There was a woman leaning against a car in the car park with her head down, covered in blood and a little girl being lifted away by paramedics. There were quite a few people injured in the car park.'

Her friend, Livvy, 22, added: 'We saw the explosion happen. Bits of it hit me. My first thought was, 'that's a bomb'.

'It was just when we were leaving. We saw a flash of light and smoke. We're really shaken up. If we had been there moment earlier we would have been caught up in it rather than seeing it.'

Jonathan Yates, 24, from the Wirral, said: 'The concert had finished and the lights came on almost instantly. There was a bang, a weird bang. There were lots of balloons but I thought to myself that can't be a balloon, that's not normal.

Outside the arena, shocked concert-goers struggled to find ways home as the adjoining Victoria station was closed.

Around 60 people caught up in the terror attack were reported to have been taken in by Holiday Inn hotels near the arena.

Holiday Inn was unable to confirm the number of people it was helping but said it had supported them throughout the night by offering 'immediate refuge'.

A Holiday Inn spokeswoman said: 'The hotel teams at Crowne Plaza Manchester City Centre and Holiday Inn Express Manchester City Centre - Arena have both been working closely with the emergency services throughout the night, supporting members of the public who needed immediate refuge.

'The hotels are fully operational and continue to offer support.'

This picture shows the layout of Manchester Arena - the explosion happened in the foyer area leading to the railway station (in the bottom left corner)

A man with a bandage on his head exits the arena after the terror attack inside the Manchester Arena

Lots of concert-goers wore foil thermal tops to stave off the cold as they waited outside the venue next to members of the emergency services

Grande, who was not injured, tweeted hours after the incident: 'Broken. From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don't have words.' Pictured: A girl on the phone next to a group of police

Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said police were treating the blast as a terrorist incident and were working with counter-terrorism police and intelligence agencies. They gave no further details on their investigation

A young girl is helped by police after the horrific incident inside the teen concert this evening

One picture, purportedly published from the scene on social media, appeared to show bodies in the lobby area of the arena. Late last night two witnesses confirmed its veracity to MailOnline.

A North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust spokesman tweeted: 'NWAS has taken 59 casualties from the Manchester Arena incident to various hospitals and treated a number of walking wounded on scene.'

A spokesman said the explosion happened within the foyer area of the venue, leading towards Victoria railway station.

A bomb disposal unit were also spotted arriving at the scene.

Heavily-armed officers watch on as a colleague with a dog walks along the pavement. Greater Manchester Police say they are working with intelligence agencies to investigate the attack

Prime Minister Theresa May said the government is trying to establish 'the full details' of the attack. Pictured: A young victim wearing a foil thermal top is helped by police

Bomb disposal units were seen outside the venue. A controlled explosion in Cathedral Gardens was later confirmed as an item of clothing

Armed police carrying assault rifles were quick to arrive at the scene. Police said they are treating the incident as terror-related 'until we know otherwise'

Armed officers surrounded the venue after the explosion at the end of a performance by US singer Ariana Grande

Friends consoled one another outside the venue after the terror attack in Manchester on Monday evening

The ambulance service warned people only to call 'for life-threatening emergencies' and said a 'large number of resources' were at the incident

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: 'This is an absolutely horrifying incident and our thoughts are with everyone affected.' Pictured: Paramedics wheel away a casualty inside Piccadilly Station

Police chat to concert-goers following the horrific attack at Manchester Arena this evening

Armed police spotted outside the gig following reports of an explosion at the venue during the Ariana Grande gig

A policeman talks to a crowd of concertgoers outside Manchester Arena. Politicians have tweeted messages of support for the victims

A man with an injured legs guides a teenage girl outside of the venue following the blast, the cause of which has not been determined for certain

A group of concert-goers sit down near a metal barrier. Witnesses 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

Armed police descended on the venue after the terror attack at Manchester Arena tonight

British Transport Police said in a statement: 'Officers are at Manchester Arena following reports of an explosion within the foyer area of the stadium at 10.30pm this evening.' Pictured: Emergency services in Victoria Railway Station

Sir Richard Leese gave his 'heartfelt thanks' to the emergency services for their work in responding to the incident. Pictured: A casualty is taken away from the arena on a stretcher

Queen sends condolences The Queen said in her message of support: '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. '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. '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.' Advertisement

Nick Schurok, 28, from Manchester, told MailOnline: 'There was a bang in the left tunnel and everyone went to the middle tunnel. Then about two minutes later, there was another bang. The bang was so loud and crowds of people were running. There were lots of children and families there.'

Catherine Macfarlane said: 'We were making our way out and when we were right by the door there was a massive explosion and everybody was screaming.

'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 of the area.'

A woman sits in the street wrapped in a foil blanket after the explosion inside the Manchester Arena on Monday

Two women support each other as they walk away from the concert venue. The pink balloon being carried is a reminder of the huge number of children who attended the performance

This was the view of the street outside Manchester Arena last night after there were explosions at the Ariana Grande gig

The city's mayor, former Labour MP Andy Burnham, tweeted: 'If you are stranded in the area you can... follow #RoomForManchester where hotels and local people of our great city are offering refuge.' Pictured: Emergency services in Manchester Victoria Station

Manchester suicide bomb is Britain's worst outrage since 7/7 The suicide bombing that killed at least 19 people and left 50 more injured in Manchester Arena is the latest in a string of attacks in Britain. It is the worst in more than a decade, after the June 2005 London Tube bombings where 56 people were killed by suicide bombers. It's the first terror strike on Manchester itself since 1996, when an IRA bomb outside a shopping mall injured 212. Here is a list of recent atrocities that have struck the UK: Westminster Attack - On March 22, 2017, Islamist Khalid Masood killed four people after mowing his car through crowds on the Westminster Bridge. Leytonstone knife rampage - On December 5, 2015, Somali-born Muhiddin Mire, 30, went on a knife rampage at a ticket hall at Leytonstone Underground station and tried to slit one man's throat. Lee Rigby - On May 22, 2013, Fusilier Rigby was 'mutilated, almost decapitated and murdered' by Michael Adebowale, 22, and Michael Adebolajo, 28, who ambushed him outside military barracks in Woolwich, South East London. London 7/7 Tube bombings - On July 7, 2005, four Islamist extremists detonated three bombs in backpacks in the London Underground. More than 700 were injured and 56 were killed. 1966 IRA bombing - On June 15, a lorry packed with 1.5 tons of explosives was detonated close to Marks & Spencer and the Arndale shopping centre. No one died by 212 were injured. Advertisement

Majid Khan, 22, said: 'I and my sister, along with a lot of others were seeing Ariana Grande perform at Manchester Arena, and we were all exiting the venue when around 10.40-10.45pm-ish a huge bomb-like bang went off that hugely panicked everyone and we were all trying to flee the arena.

'It was one bang and essentially everyone from the other side of the arena where the bang was heard from suddenly came running towards us as they were trying to exit Trinity Way and that was blocked so everyone was just running to any exit they could find as quickly as they could.

'Everyone was in a huge state of panic, calling each other as some had gone to the toilet whilst this had gone off, so it was just extremely disturbing for everyone there.'

Jane Pearson, 46, a high school English language mentor from Chadderton, Greater Manchester, had gone to the concert with her daughter, Rachel, 21, as a birthday treat.

She said the arena was packed full of young children.

Mrs Pearson said: 'It's the worst kind of people who could even consider doing something like this and quite frankly those sort of people, they deserve the worst punishment ever.

'I can't imagine what goes in to the heads of these people that want to hurt children? And families who have come together for such a happy occasion. It's disgusting. It's absolutely disgusting.'

Erin McDougle, 20, from Newcastle said: 'There was a loud bang at the end of the concert. The lights were already on so we knew it wasn't part of the show.

'At first we thought it was a bomb. There was a lot of smoke. People started running out. When we got outside the arena there were dozens of police vans and quite a few ambulances.'

Sophie Tedd, 25, from Darlington, said the noise and smoke seemed to come from the tiered seating stage right. 'We were sitting on that side then suddenly there was this big bang in the block next to us,' she said.

'Everyone started screaming and we nearly got trampled on. There was a burning smell.'

Robert Tempkin, 22, from Middlesbrough, told the BBC: 'Everyone was screaming and running, there were coats and people's phones on the floor. People just dropped everything.'

A bloodied man with a bandage around his head stands outside the venue. He is covered with a foil blanket for warmth

A man wearing a white towel walks next to a police officer. Concertgoers affected by the terror attack have been offered shelter by locals

21 YEARS AFTER MASSIVE IRA BOMB BLAST Nobody was killed but 212 people were injured after a lorry packed with 1.5 tons of explosives was detonated close to Marks & Spencer and the Arndale shopping centre. The blast caused £700million in damage as the bomb – the biggest detonated on the mainland since the war – destroyed shops and office buildings within a half-mile radius. Just minutes earlier police had directed shoppers away from the vehicle and a bomb squad was called in but were unable to defuse the device in time. The IRA had telephoned warnings about 90 minutes before the blast on Corporation Street in the city centre. In 2015, Pakistani national Abid Naseer was convicted of plotting terror attacks after being extradited to the US from the UK. He had been living in Manchester where he plotted to kill hundreds in a bombing attack at the Arndale shopping complex during the busy Easter weekend. Advertisement

Erika Ignata, 18, from Cheshire, was at the concert with her 26-year-old sister, Monica.

She told MailOnline: 'We were on the ground floor when Ariana sung the last song. There was a massive sound which we immediately though was a bomb.

'I just grabbed my sister and we were running for the door, it was absolute chaos. All around me there were little girls.'

Ms Ignata described running outside and seeing crowds of parents crying and trying to contact their children on the phone.

She added: 'Me and my sister ran and got into our car which was about 50 yards away from the Arena. I saw lots of girls crying and mums calling out.

'Lots of people shaking and calling on the phone trying to get in touch with people.'

Sasina Akhtar said: 'We were in the lower tier and there was an explosion behind us at the back of the arena.

'We saw young girls with blood on them, everyone was screaming and people were running. There was lots of smoke.'

A barman at the nearby Steven Charles Snooker Club, who gave his name as Tyler, said he saw people lying on the ground covered in blood.

'We've had a few people in with panic attacks and in all kinds of disarray,' he told Press Association. We've got four girls here - trying to get them sorted to get picked up.

'There was a gentleman on the floor with his leg all bleeding and woman with blood down one side of her face. We felt something but didn't know what it was - there was a sound like thunder.

'One girl had a panic attack and another had streaming tears, a woman had a heart attack just outside. It's a lot of teenagers - they're all in tears.'

Armed police flooded the scene in central Manchester following the terror attack at the pop concert last night

There were reports that a Holiday Inn hotel near Manchester Arena had taken in '50+ children' who were unaccompanied at the gig. Pictured: Paramedics, watched by police, help casualties

Prime Minister Theresa May announced a suspension of campaigning for next month's General Election, adding her thoughts are with the victims and families of those affected in 'what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack'.

Politicians of all parties were quick to condemn the atrocity. Nigel Farage said the 'direct attack on children' marked 'a new low' for terrorists.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn added: 'Terrible incident in Manchester. My thoughts are with all those affected and our brilliant emergency services.'

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: 'This is a shocking and horrific attack targeting children and young people who were simply enjoying a concert.

'My deepest sympathies are with the victims, and with families who have lost loved ones, as well as those desperately waiting for news.

'I would like to pay tribute to the bravery and dedication of the emergency services. This is an attack on innocent people and the nation is united both in its grief and its determination to stand up to this deplorable attack.'

Liverpool City Region metro mayor Steve Rotheram tweeted: 'My 2 daughters caught up in the Manchester explosion at the arena. They are thankfully safe, but I fear for others.'

He posted later: 'Confirmed deaths at the Manchester arena. Feel sick to think that people have lost their lives at a gig attended by so many young people.

'All my thoughts go out to those parents waiting to hear of the safety of their children. It's a parents worse nightmare. So, so sad.'

And celebrities, including former Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand, also paid tribute. Rio said: 'Just heard the news what's happening in Manchester... hope everyone is safe and sound!'

Footage posted online by concert-goers showing fans filing out of the building while an announcer tried to maintain calm

WHO IS ARIANA GRANDE? Ariana Grande has attracted an overwhelmingly young fan base ever since appearing as Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon's high school sitcom 'Victorious'. The show, which started in 2010, propelled her to teen idol status, and she went on to star in spinoffs including 'iCarly,' as she worked to develop her recording career. With 105m Instagram followers, she is the second most popular user of the social network - which known for its popularity with young people - after Selena Gomez. After Manchester, Grande was set to perform at venues in Europe, including Belgium, Poland, Germany, Switzerland and France, with concerts in Latin America and Asia to follow. Advertisement

In a statement, Manchester Arena said: 'We can confirm there was an incident as people were leaving the Ariana Grande show last night. The incident took place outside the venue in a public space. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims.'

Manchester Arena, the largest indoor arena in Europe, opened in 1995 and is a popular concert and sporting venue.

Britain is on its second-highest alert level of 'severe' meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely.

British counter-terrorism police have said they are making on average an arrest every day in connection with suspected terrorism.

US pop singer Grande was performing her Dangerous Woman European tour at Manchester Arena when the incident happened.

Later this week, she is scheduled to perform in London, followed by concerts in Belgium, Poland and Germany. A spokesman for the singer said she was unharmed but inconsolable.

Early today, Grande's manager, Scooter Braun, said 'our hearts are broken' following the attack.

'We mourn the lives of children and loved ones taken by this cowardly act,' he added.

First victim of Manchester terror attack is named as girl, 18, who tweeted Ariana Grande hours before concert and told her: 'So excited to see you tomorrow'

Smiling in the arms of her pop idol, this is the first victim of the Manchester terror attack who was killed along with 21 others - including children - when a suicide bomber targeted a packed Ariana Grande concert.

Georgina Callander, 18, died when a lone attacker detonated an explosive device as thousands of youngsters were leaving Manchester Arena last night.

She had posted a picture of herself meeting the US singer at the same venue two years ago, captioning it: 'My meet and greet photos came through, she was so cute and lovely, I hugged her so tight and she said she loved my bow. I can't get over this, I never will.'

The first victim of the Manchester terror attack has been named locally as 18-year-old Georgina Callander. She is pictured with Ariana Grande two years ago

The first victim of the Manchester terror attack has been named locally as 18-year-old Georgina Callander (pictured)

In a follow up message after meeting Ariana Grande backstage on June 4, 2015, Georgina wrote: 'After 6 years of waiting I finally got to meet and see my love. I am so happy right now. Hands down the best concert of my life.'

On Sunday the teenager tweeted the pop star, writing: 'SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU TOMORROW.'

A close friend told the Evening Standard Georgina died in hospital with her mother at her bedside in hospital.

Friends paid tribute to her on social media, with one writing: 'Rest in peace Gina. I love you so incredibly much, you deserved the world & more. I'm so lucky to have met you and known you.'

Another tweeted: 'A beautiful girl with the kindest heart & soul, I'll miss you forever, may you rest in a better place than here. I love you.'

Georgina had tweeted the US pop singer Ariana Grande on Sunday evening, writing: 'So excited to see u tomorrow'

Georgina was described as 'the sweetest person you will ever meet' by one friend, with another tweeting that she was 'shattered' by the news.

Another friend wrote: 'Rest in peace one of the most kind and beautiful people I've ever had the pleasure of calling a friend.'

Others described Georgina as a 'ray of sunshine.'

A timeline of how the terror unfolded in Manchester Manchester Arena braced for the performance of Ariana Grande 6pm: Doors open at Manchester Arena in the north of the city centre. US pop singer Ariana Grande is on the bill for a sell-out concert. Fans, many of them teenage girls, excitedly share selfies as they wait for the show to begin. The 21,000-capacity venue, which is the biggest indoor arena in the UK and the second larges in Europe, was sold out. 7.30pm: The show gets underway with a support act BIA, an American rapper, taking the stage. Fans wait patiently for the main event - American superstar Ariana Grande. 9pm: Ariana Grande arrives on stage to the delight of the thousands of fans who have travelled the globe to watch her perform her hits which include Problem, Bang Bang and Break Free. 10.30pm: The star leaves the show and thousands of gleeful fans begin to file out of the arena's four exits. With the huge venue only half-empty, the horrifying sound of the booming bomb reverberates around the arena. Witnesses describe being knocked from their feet by an explosion and seeing dozens of injured, possibly dead, people including children lying on the floor. Others describe panic as concert-goers run for exits. 10.33pm: Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are called to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena. Dozens of emergency services vehicles stream into the area and the emergency is confirmed two minutes later. 10.46pm: The North West Ambulance Service are called to the scene. They send 60 ambulances to Manchester Arena where victims have been maimed with shrapnel including nails and metal nuts from a bomb. This graphic shows where the explosion took place, in the foyer area, leading towards Victoria railway station This photo shows the aftermath of the suicide bomb which ripped through the foyer of the venue killing parents and children The bomber is believed to have entered a foyer area of the venue through doors opened to allow young music fans to leave 10.55pm: Police urge people to stay away from the area as responders deal with a 'serious incident'. A huge police cordon is set up surrounding the building and roads are closed to the public as fans flee the massacre. 11.46pm: Police confirm there have been a number fatalities, but cannot confirm the figure. Tuesday 1.10am: Nineteen people are confirmed dead and around 50 others injured following the suspected explosion police say is being treated as a terrorist incident. 1.35am: A controlled explosion is carried out on a suspicious item in the Cathedral Gardens area near Manchester Arena. It is later confirmed to be abandoned clothing. Bloodied concertgoers were pictured being helped by armed police outside the arena after explosions rang out at the gig 2.15am: Prime Minister Theresa May says her thoughts are with the victims and families of those affected in 'what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack'. 3.51am: Shortly before 4am Ariana Grande tweets that she is 'broken', adding: 'From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry.' 7am: GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins gives a statement. He says the death toll has risen to 22, including children, with 59 injured. He confirms police are treating the attack as a terrorist incident and believe it was carried out by a suicide bomber detonating an improvised explosive device. 9.02am: US President Donald Trump expresses his 'deepest condolences' and calls those responsible 'evil losers'. 9.30am: The first victim of the atrocity is named as Georgina Callander. Miss Callander, 18, had posted a picture of herself with Ariana Grande at the same venue two years ago, captioning it: 'My meet and greet photos came through, she was so cute and lovely, I hugged her so tight and she said she loved my bow. I can't get over this, I never will.' 10.30am: GMP says it has arrested a 23-year-old man in South Manchester in connection with the incident. Footage shows officers leading the handcuffed 23-year-old to a police van outside a Morrisons supermarket in Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, south Manchester at about 10.30am this morning. Witnesses said the man was ordered to 'get on the ground' and that he was seen smiling at one point as a team of officers, who had arrived in a black Mercedes, made the arrest. Armed officers arrested a man in south Manchester today with police saying the action was linked to the attack 11am: After chairing a Cobra meeting, Mrs May says the attacker has been identified by security services, but does not release details. She says the 'callous' attack was 'among the worst terrorism we have experienced in the United Kingdom'. 11.30am: The ambulance service confirm the number of people injured has reached at least 119. Of those hurt, 59 were taken to eight different hospitals in the Manchester area while around 60 were treated at the scene as walking wounded. The trust's chief executive Derek Cartwright admitted nothing could prepare his staff for a moment like this. 12.12pm: The Queen releases a statement expressing her 'deepest sympathy' to all those affected by the explosion, adding that the whole nation had been shocked by the 'death and injury'. 12.41pm: Islamic State claims responsibility for the atrocity. The extremists were quick to call the killer one of their soldiers, as has become the trend in the wake of many recent attacks in Europe. According to the SITE Intel Group, which monitors jihadist groups, the IS statement described the explosion as having taken place at a 'shameless concert arena'. Eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos (left), 18-year-old Georgina Callander (right) and 26-year-old John Atkinson have been named as three of the 22 victims of the suicide bombing. It is feared many children are among those killed, as well as parents who had accompanied their youngsters to the concert or were picking them up 1.37pm: Saffie Roussos, 8, is confirmed as the youngest named victim of the terror attack. She has been described as 'simply beautiful'. Chris Upton, the headteacher of her school, Tarleton Community Primary, said: 'The thought that anyone could go out to a concert and not come home is heartbreaking.' Minutes later, the third victim was named - 26-year-old John Atkinson from Radcliffe who was leaving the concert. Friends and family have paid their respects online, describing him as an 'amazing young man'. 2.02pm: GMP say they have executed warrants at addresses in Whalley Range, and one in Fallowfield where they carried out a controlled explosion. 4.30pm: Attacker named as Salman Abedi. Abedi, a 23-year-old British man of Libyan origin, detonated a deadly explosive that ripped through crowds leaving an Ariana Grande concert at 10.30pm. Police are trying to determine whether Abedi acted alone or was part of a wider terror cell. Advertisement

Suicide bomber who slaughtered 22 'was known to police': Attacker was CAUGHT on CCTV and may have carried out a recce mission to Ariana Grande concert venue

The suicide bomber, Salman Abedi, who slaughtered 22 at Manchester Arena may have been known to police before carrying out last night's atrocity, it has emerged.

An urgent police probe is underway this morning to determine whether Abedi acted alone or had accomplices as part of a wider terror cell.

Officers are also combing CCTV to determine whether he carried out a 'recce' of the arena before detonating a nail bomb as thousands were leaving the Ariana Grande concert at 10.30pm.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the explosion. But last night, ISIS supporters were celebrating the massacre online while two messages, posted four hours before the attack, appeared to predict the mass killing.

A major police operation is underway this morning to determine whether the suicide attacker who detonated a nail bomb at Manchester Arena last night was part of a terror cell

Officers also believe that he will have carried out a 'recce' to the giant venue in recent days and a separate team are studying footage going back into the past week.

Forensic and bomb squad officers are studying the remains of the device recovered so far but initial indications are that the bombmaker had used a 'level of sophistication' suggesting he had received training and not made it from 'a terror recipe' on the Internet.

One security source told MailOnline: 'It is unlikely that if the device was sophisticated that the suicide bomber made it – experience shows that organisations are reluctant to 'waste' the expertise of a bombmaker in an attack, preferring to keep him or her for another attack.

'It is therefore highly likely that this terrorist is part of a cell or had a support network and they are the priority.

'Are there other devices, other terrorists out there and you can expect to see raids carried out in the next 48 hours linked to this.'

The identity of the attacker, who was also killed, is not yet known and the deadly blast is being treated as an act of terrorism - although nobody has claimed responsibility

Detectives are also studying the bomber's links to Syria or other jihadi hotbeds amid intelligence that he may have travelled abroad to the region.

At least 16 convicted or dead jihadi terrorists are known to have come from a small area of Manchester and several surveillance operations on suspects from the region have been on-going.

Possible links to ISIS-inspired cells involved in the Belgium, Paris and Stockholm attacks are also being examined.

'I drove through the night to get here': Father's desperate search for daughter, 17, and her boyfriend, 19, missing after Manchester attack

A desperate search has been launched for an teenage couple who have not been heard from since the attack.

The families of Liam Curry, 19, and girlfriend Chloe Rutherford, 17, have not spoken to the couple since they shared a selfie to Liam's mother Caroline, moments before Grande took to the stage.

Both the teens' parents left their homes in South Shields, South Tyneside, at 4am today to get to Manchester.

Chloe's father Mark Rutherford, said: 'We don't know anything. We are at the Etihad station just waiting for news. I drove through the night to get here.

'My wife phoned me and said 'something's happened in Manchester'

Saffie Roussos, eight, (left), Liam Curry, 19, and girlfriend Chloe Rutherford (right), 17, are among the young people still missing after last night's attack in Manchester

Pictured: Mark Rutherford with his daughter Chloe, who is still missing after attending the Ariana Grande concert

He added: 'At this moment in time we have got friends and family circulating photos and messages on social media but that is all we can do for now.

'We don't know anything more so we are not prepared to say anything at the moment.'

Video footage captured minutes after the attack showed thousands of people fleeing in tears with many covered in blood.

One witness said she heard a 'massive bang' and saw a 'stampede' of people sprint out of the venue with one girl shouting 'I don't know where my sister is'.

There were reports online that more than 50 children that left the stadium without guardians have been taken to the nearby Holiday Inn.

Survivors are also being sheltered at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium as they desperately wait to be reunited with friends and families.

The families of both teens' have driven through the night from their homes in South Shields, South Tyneside, to get to Manchester

Missing: A woman named Olivia Campbell was reported as missing by a close friend. Her friend said she was wearing blue jeans and thigh-high black boots

Meanwhile a desperate mother has spoken of her frantic efforts to find her teenage daughter.

Charlotte Campbell last heard from 15-year-old Olivia shortly before Ariana Grande came on stage at on Monday night.

Ms Campbell, who lives in Manchester, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I last had contact with her at half past eight last night. She was at the concert, she'd just seen the support act and said she was having an amazing time and thanking me for letting her go.

'She was with her friend Adam - Adam was found about half an hour ago, he's in hospital but Olivia has not been found yet.'

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn suspend General Election campaign following attack Britain's General Election campaign has been suspended in the wake of the Manchester Arena terrorism attack which has left 19 people dead and left 50 wounded. Tory sources confirmed the break in the campaign following the blast which PM Theresa May described as an 'appalling terrorist attack'. Later, Jeremy Corbyn said he had agreed to also suspend campaigning in light of the attack. Politicians have described the blast, which claimed 19 lives, as 'a direct attack on children'. Mrs May will chair a meeting later today of the Government's emergency Cobra committee at 9am. Theresa May spoke outside Number 10 Downing Street this morning after she and Jeremy Corbyn suspended election campaigning She 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.' A Tory source said the Prime Minister's General Election campaign was being suspended. President of the European Council Donald Tusk said: 'My heart is in Manchester this night. Our thoughts are with the victims.' Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage described the last as a 'direct attack on children'. He claimed the blast was an act of Islamic terrorism in an interview on US television. The former political leader told Fox News: 'The direct attack on children... marks a new low in all forms of terrorism.' Farage claimed people in Briton had become complacent to the threats faced by Europe. He continued: 'The Manchester terrorist attack was directed at children. It's going to be a very big shock for the UK.' Jeremy Corbyn sent a tweet shortly after tonight's terror attack describing it as 'terrible' Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham said: 'My heart goes out to families who have lost loved ones, my admiration to our brave emergency services. A terrible night for our great city.' The United Nations Security Council 'condemned in the strongest terms the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attack' and vowed to 'cooperate actively with the government of United Kingdom and all other relevant authorities' to tackle terrorism. Advertisement

'They were more interested in whether we had bottles of water': Concert-goers slam 'lax' security at Ariana Grande show as expert claims it was deliberately picked as a 'soft target'

Concert goers have slammed the 'lax' security at the arena where 22 people after a suicide bomber detonated a suspected nail bomb in a 'security soft spot'.

An unnamed male suicide bomber detonated a homemade bomb inside the foyer of the arena following an Ariana Grande concert last night, at the point where gig-goers are most vulnerable.

Nikola Trochtova, who attended the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena last night, accused security of being 'more interested in whether we were carrying bottles of water' than checking for weapons.

Video footage showed people fleeing in tears from the venue after reports of explosions at the end of an Ariana Grande concert (pictured tonight)

She spoke out as a security expert revealed the terrorist targeted a 'security soft spot' as concert goers headed out of the stadium to take public transport home.

Speaking to Czech public radio, Ms Trochtova said: 'There was almost no security check, rather zero. They let us get in without any check if we have anything with us.

'The only thing they were interested in was if we had any bottles of water with us. They almost didn't check our bags, they didn't take a look.'

The New York Daily Post reports Ms Trochtova was leaving the venue when she heard an explosion at the entrance, but only found out later what exactly had taken place.

The device will have been made from parts easily purchased on the high street - items like a pressure cooker filled with screws, nuts and bolts or ball bearings, security expert Will Geddes said.

Mr Geddes revealed it is unlikely that the bomber carried out the attack on his own - and he almost certainly will have had help either online or from friends.

Police said earlier this morning that there was due to be a controlled explosion in Cathedral gardens, and warned people not to be alarmed

A policeman patrols Victoria Railway Station close to Manchester Arena. Display boards direct customers to posters where they can find travel information

Mr Geddes, CEO of security consultants ICP, said: 'They are always IED homemade devices, this is a shrapnel based device, shards of metal, could be nuts and bolts, screws which are designed to cause as much damage as possible.

'When a bomb goes off it is the shrapnel from the explosion which has the biggest impact which is often why terrorists use bags of ball bearings inside.

'He is thought to be a lone suicide bomber and that makes it a lot easier to detonate than leaving a device and detonating it remotely, but I do not subscribe to the lone wolf theory.

'It is very difficult to build these devices on your own, he will have likely had help either in person or electronically through messaging apps or online forums.

'They will have been preparing for at least a month, this is not days, this is weeks, months or even years of preparation.

'No doubt they would have carried out some reconnaissance, it will have been very well planned and the individuals might have regarded the security at the stadium as too difficult and chosen the walkway as the next best option.

'This act also took place on the anniversary of Lee Rigby and it could have some influence that Trump is in Saudi Arabia or that we are preparing for a General Election.

'It was within the walkway between the stadium and the station this would have been an area with a high footfall with people leaving the stadium, they will be looking for somewhere they are going to optimise casualty ratings.

'People are at their most vulnerable when they are either leaving or arriving at a venue.'

Police shut down the streets around the concert hall in the aftermath of the attack. Here, a group of women walk over a plastic barrier held down by a police officer

Manchester City FC also tweeted a tribute: 'It's with great sadness we hear of the terrible events at the Arena. Our hearts go out to all affected and to our city's emergency services.' Pictured: People outside the concert venue text on their phones

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick this morning announced that extra police officers have been put on duty in London in the wake of the 'utterly appalling' attack in Manchester.

Raffaello Pantucci, director of international security studies at Royal United Services Institute, said the attack was likely to have been carried out by a group known to the security services rather than a lone wolf.

He said: 'If it is an individual acting alone it seems to be a break from what we have seen in recent attacks. But groups have never stopped wanting to launch bombs, it just became more difficult as it requires materials.

'So there has been a push to low tech attacks, but terror groups still wanted to launch more sophisticated bombing attacks as well.

'If it is a complete loner then it's a real shock to the system because that means the security agencies have been looking in the wrong places, so I hope they have some prior knowledge of the individual.'

Sick ISIS supporters celebrate attack on social media ISIS supporters celebrated online overnight following the blast in Manchester Arena which claimed the lives of at least 19 people and wounded more than 50 others. Nobody has yet claimed responsibility for the blast which struck as 21,000 fans were leaving the venue at the end of the Ariana Grande concert. Two messages, posted four hours before the attack, appeared to predict the atrocity. A Twitter account - which was unverified - posted this four hours before the attack Several ISIS-friendly accounts posted the hashtag #ManchesteArena and #ArianaGrande None of the ISIS fan pages have claimed responsibility for last night's terror attack Twitter suspended dozens of accounts, but other euphoric supporters posted messages across Telegram and other secured messaging systems. One message on Twitter posted by a user called Abdul Haqq said: 'It seems that bombs of the British airforce over children of Mosul and Raqqa has just came back to #Manchester.' Others shared messages encouraging so-called 'lone wolf' attacks as well as videos threatening the west and the United States. Advertisement

'I am so, so sorry': Grande says she is left 'broken' following the attack Ariana Grande said today she was 'broken' following the terrorist attack after her gig at Manchester Arena that left 19 people dead. Tweeting in the early hours of this morning, the 23-year-old US pop star said: 'Broken. From the bottom of my heart, I am so, so sorry. I don't have words.' Her management team, Scooter Braun Projects, said they were heartbroken by the incident and praised the actions of the emergency services. They said in a statement: 'Words cannot express our sorrow for the victims and families harmed in this senseless attack. 'We mourn the lives of children and loved ones taken by this cowardly act. 'We are thankful for the selfless service tonight of Manchester's first responders who rushed toward danger to help save lives. 'We ask all of you to hold the victims, their families, and all those affected in your hearts and prayers.' A sign saying 'Ariana we love you' was left in the street nearby the arena. Theresa May said 'many children' were among the victims Nineteen people died after the blast tore through crowds leaving the pop concert, with dozens of others injured in the explosion. Insiders told TMZ that Grande's concert scheduled for Thursday at London's O2 Arena could be cancelled because she was 'in no condition to perform,' in addition to ongoing security concerns. The deadly attack occurred after the 23-year-old singer wrapped up her performance on her Dangerous Woman Tour. Grande's tour, her third time hitting the international concert circuit, kicked off with a February show in Phoenix, Arizona. Further stops on her immediate concert trail include scheduled dates in Antwerp, Belgium, Lodz in Poland and Frankfurt in Germany. The tour was expected to extend into the autumn, wrapping up on September 21 at Hong Kong's AsiaWorld–Arena. Advertisement