Following a suspected terrorist attack in Manchester, where 22 people attending an Ariana Grande were killed in an explosion and more than 50 people were injured, those living in the city have turned to social media to help people in need.
Greater Manchester Police has said it was called to the Manchester Arena, where the concert took place, at 10:33pm on May 22 and have since confirmed the attack took place with an "improvised explosive device". It is believed the incident was conducted by a lone man who has not officially been named.
As the events were unfolding – police are continuing to tell those in the area to stay away from the scene – the Twitter hashtag #RoomForManchester was being widely shared by those offering shelter, accommodation, food and drinks to victims. The move echoes similar instances where communities have come together to provide support for those involved in a tragic incident.
As well as Mancunians providing assistance to those at the concert, Facebook has turned on its Safety Check feature in the area. People living in Manchester are able to check-in and mark themselves as safe.
For those worried about loved ones in the city, it is also possible to see who has checked in. The page shows 'friends who may be in the area' and whether they have marked themselves as being out of danger. There are also 'related posts' showing people who are offering help to those in the larger area.
Greater Manchester Police has set up two phone lines to for those worried about missing people. The numbers are: 0161 856 9400 or 0161 856 9900. It is also possible for those affected by the bombing to contact The Samaritans for support.
The NHS has said it has enough blood to treat those who have been taken to hospital and need medical attention after the attack, but it is still possible to donate to larger supplies. Find your local blood donation centre (in Manchester and beyond) by entering your postcode on the NHS blood website.
For those who may have been in the area, police have urged them to upload photos and videos that may help its investigation to the police appeal website. At the time of writing the website appears to be down but it is likely this will be fixed in the coming hours.
Although Twitter and the hashtag have largely been used for good by those in Manchester and beyond, there also has been a number of fake images and reports posted on social media. Staff at BuzzFeed have been collecting examples of inaccurate posts that have spread online. These include false reports of missing people, photos that have not originated from Manchester, and inaccurate information that has spread.
If you see an image online that may not be genuine there are online guides available that provide information on how to check where a picture or video has come from.
This article has been updated to remove an inaccuracy around hotels in Manchester
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
