The majority of the victims of Monday’s night’s tragic terror attack in Manchester have now been named.
Monday night (May 22) saw an explosion at Ariana Grande’s Manchester Arena concert leave 22 people dead and 59 wounded. Fans were leaving the show when a bomb was detonated by a suicide bomber in a public foyer. The lone attacker died in the explosion from what is said to be a home-made bomb. The bomber has since been named and ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The first victim was named as 18-year-old Georgina Callander, followed by Saffie Rose Roussos, aged just eight. Greater Manchester Police then named the third victim as John Atkinson, 26, of Radcliffe in Bury.
Eilidh MacLeod, a 14-year-old from Barra in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides who had travelled down to Manchester for the Grande gig, has now been pronounced dead too. Her family said in a statement: “Eilidh was vivacious and full of fun. She loved all music whether it was listening to Ariana or playing the bagpipes with her pipe band. As a family we would like to express our thanks and gratitude for the support and kind messages we have received at this difficult time.”
⚡️ “Latest victim of Manchester attack named as Eilidh MacLeod”https://t.co/kJImA7asop
— Werewolf_Nights (@Werewolf_Nights) May 25, 2017
Mother-of three Michelle Kiss, who hailed from Clitheroe in Lancashire, also died in the explosion. Her family said in a statement: “Michelle Kiss was a loving wife to Tony, mother to Dylan, Elliot and Millie, as well as daughter to Mick and Christine and sister to Nichola. She tragically died during the horrible event that occurred on Monday night. Family was her life and we are all obviously devastated by her loss. She has been taken away from us, and all that love her, in the most traumatic way imaginable. We hope to draw from the courage and strength she showed in her life to get through this extremely difficult time.”
Elaine McIver, an off-duty police officer who served with the Greater Manchester police, was also killed in the blast. “Elaine was a much loved daughter, sister, Auntie, friend and colleague, the best we could ever have wished for,” her family said in statement.
Wendy Fawell, a 50-year-old mother from Otley in West Yorkshire who was attending the concert with her daughter, has been named as another victim. The school she worked at, St Oswald’s in Guiseley, confirmed the tragic news on Twitter.
It is with deepest sadness that I confirm that our former colleague Wendy Fawell was killed in the Manchester bombing. RIP, Wendy #StOPSG
— St Oswald's Primary (@StOswaldsSchG) May 25, 2017
Chloe Rutherford, 17, and Liam Curry, 19, a teenage couple from South Shields who attended the concert together, both lost their lives. In a statement shared jointly by their respective families, Rutherford and Curry were described as
“perfect in every way for each other”. The statement added: “They wanted to be together forever and now they are.”
R.I.P Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry, gone but never forgotten <3 #ManchesterBombing pic.twitter.com/lPD1Rx0EqC
— Andrew Cliff (@acliff96) May 24, 2017
Nell Jones, 14, from the village of Goostrey outside of Manchester, has been pronounced dead too. The head teacher of her school, Holmes Chapel Comprehensive, confirmed the tragic news during assembly today (May 24), The Guardian.
Meanwhile, the Polish embassy in London has confirmed that two Polish nationals were killed in the explosion. Angelika and Marcin Klis, aged 40 and 42 respectively, had been waiting outside Manchester Arena to collect their daughters from the concert.
Mother of three Jane Tweddle, of Blackpool, has been confirmed dead as well. The headteacher of the school where she worked as a receptionist, South Shore Academy, described her as a “truly wonderful friend and colleague”.
In the early hours of this morning (May 24), Charlotte Campbell of Bury sadly confirmed on Facebook that her 15-year-old daughter Olivia died in the attack. “Go sing with the angels,” her mother wrote.
Posted by Olivia's mum, R.I.P beautiful. Taken so young, heartbreaking ?? #OliviaCampbell #PrayingForManchester pic.twitter.com/XFWDpL5pnC
— t o n i ' (@MissKrahn) May 24, 2017
Alison Howe and Lisa Lees, two mothers from Greater Manchester who had gone to Manchester Arena to pick up their daughters from the concert, have also been confirmed dead.
The Guardian reports that a relative of Rowe wrote on Facebook: “They took a caring beautiful mum and step mother away from us all she was amazing to us all x love you loads Alison Howexx”.
Meanwhile, Lees’ brother broke the tragic news on Facebook, writing: “For those who don’t know, Lisa is gone but never, ever forgotten. I love you Lisa. I’ll miss you so much.”
Kelly Brewster, a 32-year-old office worker from Sheffield, was also killed in the explosion. Her uncle previously told ITV that Kelly had shielded her sister Claire and niece Hollie from the blast. Both of her family members are currently being treated in hospital.
Martyn Hett, a 29-year-old PR executive and writer from Stockport, is another confirmed victim of the attack. His close friend and former partner Russell Hayward broke the sad news on Twitter.
— ?Russell (@RussellHayward) May 24, 2017
As The Evening Standard reports, Georgina Callender died in hospital with her mother by her bedside.
A huge fan of Ariana Grande, on Sunday she sent the singer a message with the caption ‘SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU TOMORROW”. Her friends have described her as “a beautiful girl with the kindest heart and soul”.
All my love,thoughts and prayers with you Georgina Callander, we love you so much from the bottom of our hearts! ♡
RIP#Manchester pic.twitter.com/YvXJ0knsMN
— FINE LINE (@niallshhhh) May 23, 2017
To my beautiful best friend I hope you rest in peace my darling ? I love you so much and will always miss you ? #manchesterattack pic.twitter.com/4CNlkNxoC9
— Sophie #IStandWithTaylor (@Sophie_Jauregui) May 23, 2017
Rest in peace Gina. I love you so incredibly much, you deserved the world & more. I'm so lucky to have met you and known you ? #manchester pic.twitter.com/sPrHq9I6M0
— liana (@lianasarfati) May 23, 2017
Among the tributes paid to Georgina was one from Once Upon A Time actor Sean Maguire – who said it was a pleasure to have met her last month.
Just met this girl in April.She was so young & sweet.She was killed last night Manchester.My love to her and all the families of the victims https://t.co/RBThDZ6do7
— Sean Maguire (@sean_m_maguire) May 23, 2017
As The Guardian reports, the second tragic death was announced as eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos. She was at the concert with her mother Lisa Roussos, and sister Ashlee Bromwich – who are said to be being treated in hospital.
“Saffie was simply a beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word,” said headteacher at Tarleton Community Primary school, where Saffie was a pupil. “She was loved by everyone and her warmth and kindness will be remembered fondly. Saffie was quiet and unassuming with a creative flair.”
He added: “The thought that anyone could go out to a concert and not come home is heartbreaking.”
Utterly heartbreaking: Eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos was murdered last night in the #Manchester attack pic.twitter.com/mmiRTkj2ey
— Steve Clark (@steveclarkuk) May 23, 2017
Ariana Grande’s management confirmed yesterday (May 24) that her tour has been cancelled up to June 5. It is not clear whether she will resume her European tour after that.
Us Weekly reports that the singer has returned to her home in Florida.
Several other gigs have been cancelled following the attack. See a list of all the concerts affected here.
Anyone with any information concerning the attack is asked to call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline in confidence on 0800 789321.