Fears for missing relatives after explosion at Ariana Grande concert in Manchester

Panicked families have taken to social media to try to find loved-ones after concert-goers — some very young — scattered over the city after the Ariana Grande concert explosion.

Charlotte Rowe tweeted a photo of two young people with the words: "Looking for Chloe Rutherford and Liam curry. They where at areana in Manchester tonight and can't get in touch please share #Manchester."

In a series of chilling tweets, Christina wrote that her friend Martyn Hett was missing after attending the concert. "Everyone else is home safely. Martyn got lost," she wrote. "Called everyone I can think of."

The young woman said she was "frantic" and "out of my mind". She said police had been informed but "obviously are swamped with calls."

As others reassured her that there were people at nearby hotels who had lost their mobile phones, she added: "Was ringing out straight after. Now nothing."

Others shared collages of all the faces they had seen reported as missing on social media.

Some claimed more than 50 children from the concert were sheltering at the Holiday Inn Manchester Arena, but news.com.au was not able to reach the numbers provided.

Parents who did manage to reach their children after the possible bomb attack, which has left at least 22 dead and 59 injured, were seen hugging their distressed and crying.

The hashtag #RoomForManchester began trending, with people offering their couches, spare rooms and cups of tea for those who were stranded after the huge explosion.

Hotel Gotham offered complimentary rooms and taxi company Streetcars arranged a meeting point at its offices, promising to help people get home safely, or let them stay at headquarters for the night if they couldn't get home after trains were cancelled.

Missing: Olivia Campbell at the #Manchester bombing. Her mom Charlotte Campbell is looking for her. Please RETWEET. pic.twitter.com/kesdG2CI9f

— Stones Associates (@apprenticelife4) May 23, 2017

Please if anyone has seen my friend Kelly Brewster let me know. Her family friends need to know she is ok #Manchester #ManchesterArena pic.twitter.com/mgkZQv3vu2

— Chantelle Jones (@Princess1808) May 23, 2017

My friend @martynhett on the right was at the Ariana concert and hasn't been in touch. Please has anyone seen him? pic.twitter.com/NUKk8wmGxM

— Christina 🌹❄ (@ChristinaP89) May 22, 2017

In one video posted by a BBC reporter outside a police cordon, a tiny girl is escorted by a police officer, apparently on her own.

Young child taken out from the cordon area by a police officer at Manchester arena pic.twitter.com/THm1GZfEBi

— Clare Fallon (@clarefallon) May 23, 2017

Hospitals were reportedly calling in extra staff to be ready for a "rush of patients", with North West Ambulance Service asking people to "only call us for life threatening emergencies at this time."

Manchester Evening News reported that people were leaving Manchester Royal Infirmary in tears, too upset to talk, some desperately trying to find family members. The newspaper was also offering lifts along the M61 and M6 corridor.

Witnesses also reported a heavy police presence at Salford Royal hospital.

Looking for Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry. They were at arena in Manchester last night and can't get in touch please share!!!#Manchester pic.twitter.com/go8DW4oZSE

— Alex Ionescu (@HaRdHousee) May 23, 2017