Islamic State have claimed responsibility for the attack in Manchester

At least 22 people were killed and around 60 more were wounded as explosives outside Manchester Arena as Ariana Grande fans left a concert.

The Islamic State terror group has claimed responsibility for the Manchester bomb attack.

Isis said: ‘This is just the beginning’ in a video they posted online, according to Israeli media.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the deadly attack, claiming it was carried out with an explosive device planted at the concert, according to a statement the group posted on Telegram.

‘One of the soldiers of the Caliphate was able to place an explosive device within a gathering of the Crusaders in the city of Manchester,’ the statement said.

Hundreds of people are still desperately trying to trace loved ones in the aftermath of the atrocity.

Here's what we know about the Manchester attack so far:

• The attack was carried out by a lone male suicide bomber who detonated an improvised explosive device.
• 22 people have been killed and 59 have been injured in the blast
• Children are among the dead
• The lone attacker died at the arena
• Police are investigating whether he acted alone or was part of a network
• It is the worst terrorist attack in the UK since 56 people were killed in the 7/7 London bombings in 2005.
• The explosion rocked the Manchester Arena at the conclusion of a performance by the American star Ariana Grande.
• Manchester Arena said the explosion happened outside the venue, as people began streaming from the doors.
• Greater Manchester Police said they were called to the venue at around 10.33pm and approach roads were closed.
• They said the blast was “being treated as a terrorist incident”.
• More than 400 officers were deployed on the operation throughout Monday night.
• Manchester Victoria station was evacuated and trains cancelled.
• The victims are being treated at eight hospitals across Greater Manchester, Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said.
• The Prime Minister condemned what was being treated as an “appalling terrorist attack” and said she would chair a meeting of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee on Tuesday.
• All national General Election campaigning was suspended after the explosion.
• A controlled explosion was carried out by police at the Cathedral Gardens area near Manchester Arena shortly after 1.30am.
• Police said the suspicious item at the centre of the controlled explosion was just abandoned clothing.
• The first victim of the Manchester terror attack has been named as Georgina Callendar
• Police have arrested a man, 23, in connection with the terror attack at Manchester Arena.

  Theresa May has made a statement in Downing Street following the Manchester attack. She said: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families and friends of all those affected.

  ‘It is now beyond doubt that the people of Manchester and of this country have fallen victim to a callous terrorist attack, an attack that targeted some of the youngest people in our society with cold calculation.
  ‘This was among the worst terrorist incidents we have ever experienced in the United Kingdom.’
   See our Manchester attack coverage here.