TIMELINE OF TERROR
6.45AM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins confirms 22 people were killed in the attack, including children. The attack was carried out by a lone suicide bomber.
9.00AM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
US President Donald Trump expresses his “deepest condolences” and calls those responsible “evil losers”.
11.00AM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
After chairing a Cobra meeting, Prime Minister Theresa 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”.
12.00PM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
GMP says it has arrested a 23-year-old man in South Manchester in connection with the incident
12.04PM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
18-year-old Georgina Bethany Callander is named as the first victim in the Manchester terror attack. She’d been enjoying the concert with her friends at the time of the blast, caused by a lone suicide bomber.
12.12PM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
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”.
12.15PM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
The Arndale shopping centre was evacuated while police investigated a suspicious item and made sure the area was safe. It was re-opened soon after. A heavy armed police presence was also reported at the Trafford Centre in the wake of the bomb attack.
1.00PM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
Islamic State claims responsibility for the atrocity
1.30PM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
Eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos was killed in the attack. Saffie, believed to be from Tarleton, near Preston in Lancashire, had been at the Ariane Grande concert with her mum Lisa Roussos and sister Ashlee Bromwich when the explosion happened.
2.00PM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
GMP say they have executed warrants at addresses in Whalley Range, and one in Fallowfield where they carried out a controlled explosion.
1.55PM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
26-year-old John Atkinson was named as the third victim of the terrorist attack at Manchester Arena. It’s understood Mr Atkinson, from Radcliffe, had been leaving the Ariana Grande concert at the venue when it was targeted by the suicide bomber.
3.15PM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
Prime Minister Theresa May arrived in Manchester and visited the GMP headquarters in Newton Heath for a meeting with Chief Constable Ian Hopkins. Speaking after her meeting, she condemned the attacks as being “absolutely barbaric”.
3.30PM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
Ambulance chiefs confirm almost 120 people were injured in the attack at Manchester Arena. It said paramedics treated 60 walking wounded in the city centre on Monday night, on top of the 59 serious trauma victims being treated in hospitals.
3.40PM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
A vigil is announced for Albert Square at 6pm - a peaceful tribute to the 22 confirmed dead and 59 injured in the city’s worst ever terror atrocity.
4PM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
Flowers begin to be left in Manchester city centre in memory of all those who have lost their lives.
4.10PM, TUESDAY, MAY 23
Family and friends of Cheshire schoolgirl Nell Jones, 14, who hasn’t been seen since the terror attack, issued desperate appeals to find her.
4.30PM, TUESDAY MAY 23
The suspected bomber is identified for the first time as Salman Abedi, from reports originating in the US, as Prime Minister Theresa May makes a private visit to Manchester Children’s Hospital.
5PM, TUESDAY MAY 23
Take That postpone their final three shows due to take place at Manchester Arena. The band decide not to go ahead with gigs on May 25, 26 and 27.
5.20PM, TUESDAY MAY 23
The chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, Ian Hopkins, names suspected bomber as Salman Abedi, 22, and calls for Greater Manchester to stand together against hate crime.
5.30PM, TUESDAY MAY 23
It’s announced that Manchester Victoria railway station will remain closed for ‘several days’.
6PM, TUESDAY MAY 23
Barrack Obama posts a message on Twitter saying ‘Americans will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of the UK’.
6.10PM, TUESDAY MAY 23
Thousands gather at Albert Square for a peaceful vigil of solidarity. Jeremy Corbyn, Sajid Javid, Amber Rudd, Andy Burnham take to the stage alongside faith leaders as councillor Eddy Newman, Lord Mayor of Manchester, praises incredible turnout.
7PM, TUESDAY MAY 23
Further details begin to emerge about terror suspect Salman Abedi. He was born in Manchester and is believed to be of Libyan descent. Abedi was registered as living at Elsmore Road in the city as recently as last year where police raided a downstairs red-bricked semi-detached property on Tuesday as they hunted those thought to be behind the blast. Neighbours recalled an abrasive, tall, skinny young man who was little known in the neighbourhood, and often seen in traditional Islamic clothing.
7.33PM, TUESDAY MAY 23
Scottish teenager Laura MacIntyre, 15, who was reported missing after the Manchester terror attack, is confirmed as being treated in hospital for serious injuries.
7.50PM, TUESDAY MAY 23
The M.E.N. reveals that a device packed with nuts and bolts was used to inflict maximum injury in the Manchester Arena bomb attack. We understand, from several sources, that many of the casualties who survived were left with metal fragments and full bolts embedded in their limbs.
8.15PM, TUESDAY MAY 23
The Great Manchester Run - which is due to take place this Sunday and attracted 35,000 runners in 2016 - will still go ahead after discussions between the organisers, Greater Manchester Police and the city council, it’s announced. The Courteeners also confirm their show at Emirates Old Trafford - a sell out to a crowd of 50,000 - will go ahead this weekend.
8.40PM, TUESDAY MAY 23
It’s confirmed that the party leaders’ campaigns for the June 8 General Election will remain suspended following the Manchester Arena terrorist attack.
10PM, TUESDAY MAY 23.
The Prime Minister Theresa May raises the threat level to ‘critical’, meaning an attack could be expected imminently. She said Operation Temperer allowing armed military personnel to take to the streets - would be in force.