Georgina Callandar with Ariana Grande in 2015. (Instagram)
The first victim identified in the Manchester terrorist attack, Georgina Callander, was a teenage “super fan” of singer Ariana Grande.
Georgina, 18, had been to Ariana Grande concerts before, and expressed excitement at seeing Ariana again, the BBC reports. “I hugged her so tight,” Callandar wrote on Instagram in 2015 after meeting her idol.
Tragically, the teenager was one of 22 people who died in the attack, which authorities say was likely caused by a suicide bomber now named as Salman Abedi. At least 59 people were injured when the explosion rang out as the concert was ending in Manchester, in what is the largest indoor concert venue in England.
A second victim has also been named: Saffie Rose Roussos, 8.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Georgina Tweeted to Ariana About Her Excitement Before the Concert & Was Studying Health at a College
Before the concert, Georgina tweeted to Grande about her excitement.
“SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU TOMORROW,” she wrote.
According to the BBC, Runshaw College in Leyland said that Georgina was a student there and announced her death with “enormous sadness” and offered its “deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers.”
Callandar “was on the second year of a health and social care course,” the BBC said, quoting the college as saying, “Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to all of Georgina’s family, friends, and all of those affected by this loss.”
2. The Teen Was Photographed With Ariana Grande in 2015 & Wrote ‘I Hugged Her So Tight’
It wasn’t Callandar’s first time at an Ariana Grande concert and, in 2015, she posted several photos with her idol on Instagram. She wrote with one of the photos, “MY M&G PHOTOS CAM THEOUFH SHE WAS SO CUTE ANS LOVLEY I HUGGED HER SO TIGHT AND SHE SAID SHE LOVED MY BOW I CANT GET OVER THIS I NEVER WILL.”
“LOOK HOW CUte SHE IS I CANT BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED,” she wrote on Instagram to accompany the second photo.
“So close I cried,” she wrote with a video.
3. Georgina Filled Her Social Media Page With Trips to Disneyland & Other Places
Georgina went on trips to Disneyland, Paris, and other locales, according to her Instagram page.
Seven weeks ago, she wrote on Instagram with the above photo, “Hi i had such a good birthday i got to feed these cuties and some sea lions ! I also want to thank my mum for the best shoes everrr my lord i love them so much ??? i had such a good day with my friends and mum im super super happy ??? thank u to everyone who has wished me happy birthday as well ?”
She was a typical young person, posting about her excitement of seeing Disney movies: “I cant believe this movie is going to be the best thing since forever im so so sO excited oh my god ?! ??? this is my all time favourite Disney movie i cant even believe only 20 days ?#beautyandthebeast.”
4. Georgina Was Described as an Ariana Grande ‘Super Fan’ & Was the First Victim Named
Altogether, at least 22 people died in the attack, which has now been claimed by the Islamic State. Georgina was the first victim named.
According to the Irish Times, Manchester’s top police official said it’s believed that the attacker was “carrying an improvised explosive device, which he detonated, causing this atrocity” and acted alone.
Saffie Rose, the second victim identified, was an 8-year-old child who was remembered for having a “creative flair” by her school. You can read more about her life here:
5. Other Young People Are Still Missing After the Attack
Olivia Campbell, missing in the Manchester attack. (Facebook)
All through the night, family and friends waited desperately for news about other people who were reported missing after the attack and who still hadn’t turned up.
One of those young people is Olivia Campbell, a 15-year-old girl whose mother took to the airwaves to try to find her. She was still reported missing hours after the attack.
Liam Curry and Chloe Rutherford were also still being sought by loved ones.
Loved ones of Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry say they haven’t given up on finding them t.co/hqg3tBYY4P
Another of the missing: A young man named Martyn Hett.