What we know about Manchester Arena explosion

THE full horror of the Manchester Arena bombing has been revealed, with a suicide bomber identified. Here’s what we know.

A young woman being helped outside Manchester Arena. Photo credit: Joel Goodman/LNP

THE full horror of the Manchester Arena bombing has been revealed, with a suicide bomber now identified.

Here’s what we know:

A suicide bomber detonated a bomb

An explosion rocked the Manchester Arena in northwest England, with police called to the scene just before 10.35pm on Monday (7.35am AEST Tuesday).

Thousands of concertgoers had just enjoyed a performance from pop singer Ariana Grande and were on their way out of the stadium when the blast occurred.

The bomb was detonated in the foyer area of the arena, which is a space the public can access and where some parents were waiting to pick up their children.

Police say the perpetrator died in the explosion and he was wearing an IED (improvised explosive device).

Footage posted on social media shows the moment the blast shook the stadium, causing panic and fear.

The moment the explosion happened at the Ariana Grande gig tonight in #Manchester pic.twitter.com/amxnTyearP

— Alan Spence (@AlanSpenceEDL) May 23, 2017

If you look towards the left you see the explosion and hear the bang. I hope to GOD everyone is ok, and so glad Jess and Em are. #manchester pic.twitter.com/q81KHGEJ6E

— Joe Gregory (@JoeAaronGregory) May 22, 2017

At least 22 people died

Police have confirmed at least 22 people dead, including the perpetrator 59 injured. Those killed include an eight-year-old girl Saffie Roussos, John Atkinson, 26 and Georgina Callander, 18.

It’s feared many of the victims may have been young fans of the pop singer.

Saffie Rose Roussos. Picture: Adam J. Brown/Facebook

Victim Georgina Callander, 18.

John Atkinson, 26.

The bomber was a man named Salman Abedi

The 22-year-old British national of Libyan descent was born in Manchester and had three siblings.

His home in the Manchester suburb of Fallowfield was one of two that police raided in relation to the attack on Tuesday.

Another 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the attack.

Manchester suicide bomber Salman Abedi is pictured on the cover of UK paper The Sun. Picture: The Sun

Aerial view of Manchester suicide bomber Salman Abedi's, Fallowfield home. Picture: BBC

It was a terrorist attack

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the bombing, but Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said it was not clear yet how many other people were involved in the planning.

Originally published as What we know about Manchester Arena explosion