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Police are trying to piece together what exactly happened following the Manchester Arena bombing, with a number children among the victims, at the end of a Ariana Grande concert. Chief Constable Ian Hopkins told a press briefing this morning a suicide bomber was behind the worst attack on the UK since the July 2007 bombings in London. It was carried out by one man carrying an improvised explosive device (IED), who also died on the scene, the police chief confirmed. MANCHESTER TERROR ATTACK: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR

GETTY Police have reportedly recovered and identified the body of the suicide bomber from Manchester Arena

It was carried out by one man carrying an improvised explosive device Manchester terror attack

And now it has emerged the suicide bomber's body has been recovered and identified by British and US officials, according to news channel CNN. Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed UK officials believe they know who the suspect is, but no names have been released. The attacker was reportedly found with ID. Greater Manchester Police confirmed the blast, which happened just after 10.30pm outside the venue in a public area, is being treated as a terrorist incident. The attack left thousands of people fleeing in terror and left carnage inside the venue, with one witness claiming "bodies were everywhere". Families were heading for the exits of the concert at the famous venue when the attacker detonated his device.

Celebrities and politicians react to Manchester ‘terror attack’ at Ariana Grande gig Tue, May 23, 2017 Celebrities and politicians have been tweeting their condolences for the victims of the sickening attack at the Manchester Arena Play slideshow 1 of 14

GETTY A man carries a young girl on his shoulders

Witnesses have described how they heard a huge blast and everyone "screaming" before they were told to "run". Concert-goers emerged from the venue covered in blood. One mother told how she smelt burning near the main foyer, where it is believed the attack took place. Terror experts warned that this was not a lone attack, but was planned and prepared.

GETTY Families are overcome with grief

Counter terror expert, Professor Hamed El-Sa'id, of Manchester Metropolitan University, claimed the attack had been planned for a while and the suspected bomber had purposely chosen a “soft target”. Speaking on Sky News, he said: “They knew exactly what they were doing. This didn’t really happen overnight, they’ve been preparing for this for a while.

SKY NEWS Theresa May confirmed UK officials believe they know who the attacker was