Police have confirmed the death toll has risen to twenty-two people after a horrific bomb blast at an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on Monday. Children are counted among the dead from what has been described by British Prime Minister Theresa May as an “appalling” terror attack.
Local media reports are naming 18-year-old Georgina Callander as one of many killed in the blast.
On Sunday, the teenager tweeted that she was “so excited” to see Ariana Grande in concert. Callander’s friends shared emotional tributes to the teenager on social media, including the message: “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.”
Paramedics have treated children, teenagers and adults for “shrapnel-like” injuries from what is believed to be a nail bomb. Now morning in the UK, parents and relatives are taking to social media to track down their missing loved ones.
British Prime Minister Theresa May said investigations are currently underway into “what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack”.
According to police, the person responsible for the deadly explosion was a lone male attacker who detonated an improvised explosive device and died in the blast, the BBC reports.
RELATED: Horror Video Captures Moment Of Explosion At Ariana Grande Concert
Ariana Grande has indefinitely suspended her world tour and said the devastating suicide attack has left her “broken”. The singer shared her heartbreak and a message to fans on Twitter:
The bomb was detonated around the foyer of Manchester Arena at around 10.30pm on Monday. North Lanakshire woman Abby Mullen described the horror that broke out as fans were leaving the concert in a Facebook post.
“As we were leaving a bomb or explosion went off centimetres in front of me. People’s skin and faeces where everywhere including in my hair and on my bag,” she wrote.
‘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.”
She added: “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.”
Anne-Marie, who was attending the concert with her 13-year-old daughter, told the BBC everybody “went into absolute panic”.
“You just felt this utter shudder of the building and… there seemed to be a smog at the top of the stadium and around you,” she said.
“People were dropping to the floor and thought there might be a gunman in there. Unfortunately the security were at a loss as much as anybody else and it was just each to their own.
“There were a hell of a lot of children in the building unaccompanied tonight.
“I was trying to offer my support to a number of girls who were there on their own who were hysterical. They were around my daughter’s age if not younger.”
We will keep you updated as more details come to light.
RELATED: Ariana Grande “Broken” Over Manchester Concert Explosion
