22 dead and scores injured in terror attack at Manchester Arena

The BBC has been reporting throughout the night

22 people, including children, have died in a terror attack at the Manchester Arena. Around 60 people were also injured in an explosion that rocked the Arena following an Ariana Grande concert.

Greater Manchester Police said the lone male attacker, who died in the blast, was carrying an improvised explosive device which he detonated.

British Transport Police said the explosion was in the arena's foyer, which connects with Victoria train and tram station. The arena said the explosion happened as people began streaming from the doors.

Police released a statement saying: "Just before 10.35pm on Monday 22 May 2017, police were called to a report of an explosion at Manchester Arena."

Greater Manchester Police chief constable Ian Hopkins, speaking outside the force's headquarters, said the wounded were being treated at six hospitals across Greater Manchester.

He added: "It is important that people avoid the area around Manchester Arena."

North West Ambulance Service said it had taken 59 casualties from the explosion to hospitals and treated a number of walking wounded.

There is a heavy armed police presence around the city centre and armed police are also stationed outside Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly stations.

British Transport Police said there will be extra officers on trains and at stations on Tuesday.

Manchester Victoria will remain closed on Tuesday with no trains running to or from the station. Northern Rail says the station is unlikely to re-open until Wednesday morning at the earliest.

Northern is working to provide a limited bus service between Rochdale and Manchester, but the details are yet to be confirmed.

https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/news/latest-news/1246-update-on-northern-services-following-manchester-incident

Ariana Grande - a 23-year-old American TV teen actress-turned-pop star - tweeted: "Broken. From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don't have words."

Greater Manchester Police has established an emergency telephone number:

New casualty bureau number 0800 096 0095