A suicide bomber has killed 22 people, including children, as an explosion tore through fans leaving a pop concert in Manchester.
Some 59 people were also injured when the blast caused by an improvised explosive device carried by the attacker detonated at the Manchester Arena.
The Islamic State terror group has since claimed responsibility for the Manchester bomb attack.
The first victims to be named are student Georgina Callander and eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos.
Announcing that the death toll had risen, Greater Manchester Police chief constable Ian Hopkins said: “What I can confirm is that there are children among the deceased.”
VIDEO: Footage shows scenes of panic as fans flee arena following ‘explosion’
He said: “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.
“We continue to do all we can to support them.”
Mr Hopkins said a “fast-moving investigation” had established the attack was conducted by one man, although detectives are working to establish if he was “was acting alone or as part of a network”.
“The attacker, I can confirm, died at the arena.
“We believe the attacker was carrying an improvised explosive device which he detonated, causing this atrocity.”
Pictures show huge police presence in Manchester following ‘explosion’ at pop concert
Police were called to reports of an explosion at the Manchester Arena at 10.33pm, shortly after US singer Ariana Grande had finished her performance.
Victims described being thrown by the blast that scattered nuts and bolts across the floor.
More than 240 calls were made to the emergency services, with responders including 60 ambulances flooding the area.
More than 400 police officers were deployed as part of the operation, with a visible presence remaining on the streets of Manchester on Tuesday.
Police announced earlier today that a 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the Manchester concert bomb attack.
The arrest was announced moments after Prime Minister Theresa May denounced the “appalling sickening cowardice” of the lone suicide bomber who detonated a homemade device in the foyer of the Manchester Arena just as thousands of young people were leaving a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande.
As inquiries continued, Greater Manchester Police carried out a controlled explosion at an address in Fallowfield as part of the investigation into the bomb attack.
Officers also executed a search warrant at a property in Whalley Range, the force added.
Hundreds of people are still desperately trying to trace loved ones in the aftermath of the terror attack.
Two teenage girls from the Isle of Barra have been reported missing today following last night’s ‘suicide blast’ in Manchester.
Laura MacIntyre and Eilidh MacLeod, both 15, have not been heard from since the incident late last night at the city’s Manchester Arena.
