Parents go online to find their kids

Manchester, May 23 

Desperate parents and friends posted heart-wrenching messages and pictures on social media in the search for their loved ones on Tuesday.

“Please...please retweet. Looking for my daughter and her friend,” Michael MacIntyre wrote on Twitter, alongside an image of his daughter Laura and her friend Eilidh.

Many people had been posting pictures of eight-year old Saffie Rose Roussos, who some users said had been wearing a white Ariana t-shirt at the gig, with media imploring people to come forward with information about her whereabouts.

But her primary school later confirmed she had died in the attack, making her the youngest known victim so far. “The thought that anyone could go out to a concert and not come home is heartbreaking,” said headteacher Chris Upton.

Many parents were waiting for their children in and around the Manchester Arena when the blast rocked the foyer of the venue as thousands of young fans and parents streamed out following the gig on Monday evening.

While many teenagers eventually found their friends in the chaos, some were helped to safety by bystanders, others were offered free taxi rides home and dozens were taken to nearby hotels. 

Harry Potter author JK Rowling was one of many British artists and celebrities to help spread the word by retweeting messages and posting offers of help.  — Reuters