Shoppers and staff are evacuated from the Arndale shopping centre near the MEN Arena in Manchester, Britain, 23 May 2017. The shopping center was evacuated after an explosion was reported. The citiy remains on high alert after at least 22 people have been confirmed dead and around 59 others were injured, in an explosion at the Manchester Arena on the night of 22 May at the end of a concert by US singer Ariana Grande. EPA/VNA Photo |
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom — British police said on Tuesday they had arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with a terror attack at a pop concert in Manchester which killed 22 people and injured dozens more.
"With regards to the ongoing investigation into last night’s horrific attack at the Manchester Arena, we can confirm we have arrested a 23-year-old man in South Manchester," police said in a statement.
Parents were searching desperately for children caught up in the attack.
Screaming fans fled the venue after the bomb blast at the end of a concert by US star Ariana Grande, who is popular among teens and pre-teens.
Charlotte Campbell called hospitals, police and set up an appeal on social media before calling radio and television networks to try to find her 15-year-old daughter Olivia.
"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," she told BBC radio.
"Her dad is actually in Manchester looking for her. I’ve got friends out looking for her, I’ve got people I don’t even know out looking for her.
"I’m just hearing nothing – her phone’s dead." Two hotels near the Manchester Arena venue took in stranded children while residents opened their doors to stranded concert-goers after trains were cancelled.
A support centre was also set up at football club Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium across the road.
Many people took to social media to find their loved ones, including Dawn Finnigan, who sought help to locate her friend’s 17-year-old daughter Chloe and her boyfriend Liam.
"They left just before Ariane Grande’s last song, according to someone behind them," she tweeted.
Another Twitter user, Lauren Dale, posted: "My mum’s friend Alison Howe and her friend are still missing from the MEN (Manchester Arena) attack last night.
Please contact me if you hear anything." — AFP