CGTN America
An explosion struck an Ariana Grande concert in northern England on May 22, killing at least 22 people and injuring dozens.
All of the victims have been named. The youngest was eight years old. Others were teenagers. Some were middle-aged parents waiting to pick up their children from the concert.
Here are the stories of the victims:
Saffie Rose Roussos, 8
Lancashire County Council confirmed that Saffie Rose Roussos, 8, from Leyland was killed in the Manchester Arena bombing. "Saffie was simply a beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word," Chris Upton, headteacher at Tarleton Community Primary School, said. "She was loved by everyone and her warmth and kindness will be remembered fondly. Saffie was quiet and unassuming with a creative flair." (CNN)
Sorrell Leczkowski, 14
Sorrell Leczkowski, from Adel, was among 22 people who died when a suicide bomber attacked concertgoers on Monday. Sorrell and her mother and grandmother were not at the Ariana Grande concert but had gone to collect her sister who was not injured. In a letter to parents informing them of Sorrell's death, head teacher Elaine Silson said she was "deeply saddened" by the news. "Sorrell was a delightful member of the school community. She enjoyed her studies, had a lovely group of friends and was a real asset to Allerton High School," she said. (BBC News)
Nell Jones, 14
Teenager Nell Jones, who went to a school in the village of Holmes Chapel, south of Manchester, was described by a teacher as "a very popular girl, always smiling, always positive." Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School and Sixth Form College said police had confirmed Nell died at the scene of the bombing Monday at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. Head teacher Denis Oliver said in a statement Wednesday that the school community was devastated by the news. He quoted Nell's teacher, David Wheeler, saying that her tutor group had been together since the transition from primary school: "It feels like they have lost a sister not a classmate." Oliver also confirmed that another Year 9 student, Freya Lewis, was badly injured in the attack. Freya's father, Nick Lewis, was quoted as saying that his daughter had undergone 10½ hours of surgery and was in a stable condition. Thanking well-wishers, Lewis said: "Freya has been sewn, bolted, drilled and bandaged back together. It is going to be a long climb but we are on the first step." (AP)
Olivia Campbell-Hardy, 15
Teenager Olivia Campbell-Hardy, who went to a school near Manchester, was at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester with a friend on Monday night.
Tottington High School in the town of Bury said the school community was "absolutely devastated and heartbroken" at the news Wednesday that Olivia was killed in the blast.
The school said Olivia, reportedly 15, had been with a friend who has since undergone surgery to treat injuries sustained in the explosion.
Her mother, Charlotte Campbell, who had been appealing online for news of Olivia, wrote in Facebook post early Wednesday: "RIP my darling precious gorgeous girl Olivia Campbell taken far far too soon, go sing with the angels and keep smiling mummy loves you so much." (AP)
Megan Hurley, 15
The final victim of the Manchester Arena terror attack has been named as 15-year-old Megan Hurley, a 'gentle and unassuming girl' who loved music and animals.
She had attended the concert with her older brother Brad, 20, who was seriously injured in the attack.
Her parents, Michael and Joanne, run a sandwich shop in Hunts Cross, in Liverpool, and are understood to be at their son's bedside as he recovers from the blast. (Daily Mail)
Chloe Rutherford , 17, and Liam Curry, 19
An "inseparable" young couple, Chloe Rutherford, 17, and Liam Curry, 19, from South Shields, had been at the concert together. Both were declared missing after the blast, and relatives mounted a social media campaign in a bid to find them. They were "perfect in every way for each other and meant to be," their families said in a joint statement. "They wanted to be together forever and now they are," they said. (BBC News)
Georgina Bethany Callander, 18
The first victim to be publicly identified was Georgina Bethany Callander, an 18-year-old health and social care student known for her big smile and love of pop music. Ms. Callander’s Instagram account showed a young and joyful woman who appeared to adore animals and Disney films. She had also posted a photograph of her driver’s license, which she received in December 2016. News reports said she had died with her mother at her side. Old photographs on social media showed her wearing glasses and braces. She was a student at Runshaw College in Leyland, Lancashire, where administrators expressed “enormous sadness” and said they would offer counseling to students. (New York Times)
Eilidh MacLeod, 14
From Barra in the Outer Hebrides was at the Ariana Grande concert with a friend. Her parents said in a statement: "Words cannot express how we feel at losing our darling Eilidh. "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." Eilidh's friend, Laura MacIntyre, is said to be in a "serious condition" in a Manchester hospital.
John Atkinson, 26
John Atkinson, 28, from Radcliffe in Bury, was among 22 people who died when a suicide bomber attacked concertgoers at Manchester Arena on Monday. "John was one in a million and loved by so many," Hayley Dickenson, a friend of Mr Atkinson, said in an online tribute. He was "a true gentleman", she said on a fundraising page which she set up to help his family. (BBC News)
Martyn Hett, 29
A Manchester public relations company has paid tribute to Martyn Hett, its digital manager and a man who it said "loved life and celebrated it every day." Hett, reported to be 29, had appeared on the reality TV shows "Tattoo Fixers" and "Come Dine With Me." His employer, Rumpus, said on its website that Hett had packed life "to the brim with his passions." The company says "he was taken from this world too soon, by forces we will never truly understand." (AP)
Philip Tron, 32, and his partner's daughter Courtney Boyle, 19
Both from Gateshead, were killed in the attack. In a statement, Courtney's mum said: "My stunning, amazing, beautiful daughter, you were my rock, you made me so proud with all you had achieved. "My gorgeous crazy Philip, you made my world a happy place, and now you are both my angels flying high in the sky." Courtney's dad said he would "miss his baby girl" and her sister said she was "now a shining yellow star in the sky". Her boyfriend also paid tribute to his "soulmate", adding: "No one had what that lass had, she was like no other. And she was on a path to fulfilment, and was happy when she passed." Philip's mum paid tribute to her son, saying: "Philip was such a fun loving, energetic soul, he would light up the darkest room and lift your spirits with his infectious laugh, witty sense of humor and his beautiful smile. (BBC News)
Kelly Brewster, 32
Kelly Brewster, from Sheffield, died in the attack at the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on Monday. Her uncle Paul Dryhurst said 32-year-old Ms Brewster had "heroically shielded" her 11-year-old niece from the blast in the foyer. (BBC News)
Marcin Klis, 42, and Angelika Klis, 40
A Polish couple who had come to collect their daughters from the concert in Manchester are among the dead, Poland's foreign minister said Wednesday. Witold Waszczykowski said the daughters — one a minor, one adult— were unharmed. He did not give the couple's names but the daughter of Marcin and Angelika Klis has been publicly searching for her parents since the explosion.
A Facebook page "Remembering Marcin Klis" says he lived in the northern English city of York, worked for the York cars Taxi Service and came from the Polish town of Darlowo on the Baltic Sea. In his latest entry from March 21, he shared a link from a protest in York against Uber car services. Entries from 2015 show him vacationing with family in Egypt. Waszczykowski said another Polish citizen was wounded in the attack and had undergone surgery but "everything indicates that he will live." (AP)
Alison Howe, 45
Alison Howe, from Royton, Oldham, had arrived in the foyer shortly before the attack at the Ariana Grande gig on Monday. Ms Howe's stepson Jordan Howe said was "caring" and "beautiful". Her daughter is believed to be safe. (BBC News)
Elaine McIver, 43
The Cheshire Police officer, who was off-duty at the concert, was described by her family as "the best we could ever have wished for". She was with her partner Paul, who was seriously injured, and two children, who were also hurt. In a statement, her family said: "Elaine was a much-loved daughter, sister, auntie, friend and colleague. "She was everyone's friend, thoughtful beyond belief with an effervescent and outgoing personality. Elaine just loved life, and had a major love of music. Despite what has happened to her, she would want us all to carry on regardless and not be frightened by fear tactics, instead she regularly urged us all to rise up against it. (BBC News)
Michelle Kiss, 45
Michelle Kiss was a mother of three children, a loving wife, sister and daughter — and "family was her life," her loved ones say. In a statement released to Manchester police, her family said: "She has been taken away from us and all that love her in the most traumatic way imaginable." The Daily Mirror newspaper reported that Kiss attended Monday's concert with her daughter. Her family said: "We hope to draw from the courage and strength she showed in her life to get through this extremely difficult time." Her daughter was reported to be safe and was photographed being hugged by a police officer. (AP)
Lisa Lees, 47
Lisa Lees, from Royton, Oldham, had arrived in the foyer shortly before the attack at the Ariana Grande gig on Monday. Ms Lees' brother Lee Hunter said on Facebook she would "never ever [be] forgotten". (BBC News)
Wendy Fawell, 50
The 50-year-old mum from Otley, West Yorkshire, had travelled to the concert with her friend, Caroline, and their children. Caroline was seriously injured.
Wendy's son Adam Fawell said the family were "devastated", adding: "Mum was a wonderful woman. She'll be sadly missed.
"We'd like to thank everyone for all the effort that went into trying to find her."
Family friend Jean Osborne said: "She was the kindest person you'd ever wish to meet. She'd do anything for you. She was an awesome person. She'll be missed by many." Staff at Oswald's C of E Primary School, in Guiseley, where Ms Fawell had previously worked, have expressed their "deep sadness." In a post on Twitter, the school said: "It is with deepest sadness that I confirm that our former colleague Wendy Fawell was killed in the Manchester bombing. RIP, Wendy." (BBC News)
Jane Tweddle-Taylor, 51
Jane Tweddle-Taylor, from Blackpool, was a receptionist at South Shore Academy School in the seaside town. Ms Tweddle-Taylor had been waiting with her friend, who survived along with her children. Jane Bailey, principal of South Shore Academy, said she was a "truly wonderful friend and colleague." (BBC News)
