MANCHESTER — An eight-year-old girl who got separated from her mother and sister during the Manchester terror attack became one of the first known victims, after a night of frantic searching by dozens of families looking for their missing relatives.

Saffie-Rose Roussos (picture) died from her injuries after a man detonated an improvised explosive device at Manchester Arena.

Mr Chris Upton, the principal of Tarleton Community Primary School, which Saffie-Rose attended, said: “She was loved by everyone and her warmth and kindness will be remembered fondly. Saffie was quiet and unassuming with a creative flair.”

He said the news of her death had come as a “tremendous shock”.

“The thought that anyone could go out to a concert and not come home is heartbreaking,” said Mr Upton.

Saffie-Rose was at the concert with her mother, Lisa, and her older sister Ashlee, who are both reportedly being treated in hospital.

Saffie-Rose was only the first in what is likely to be a stream of heartbreaking stories over the coming days.

Another victim named in the aftermath of the attack was Georgina Callander, an 18-year-old health and social care student with a big open smile and a love for pop music.

She was a student at Runshaw College in Lancashire, north-west England, where college administrators expressed their “enormous sadness”.

“Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to all of Georgina’s friends, family, and all of those affected by this loss,” they wrote on Facebook.

Callander’s Instagram account showed a young and joyful woman who appeared to adore animals and Disney films. She was also a huge fan of pop-star Ariana Grande, posting excitedly about the time she met the singer in 2015.

The third victim of the attack was named as 26-year-old John Atkinson from Radcliffe.

As the authorities scrambled to identify the dead and relatives scoured hospitals in search of their loved ones, desperate parents and friends turned to social media, posting images of happy-looking teenagers next to pleas for help. The hashtag #MissingInManchester became a cry for assistance on Twitter.

Ms Charlotte Campbell said she last spoke to her 15-year-old daughter, Olivia, at about 8.30pm (London time). “She was enjoying herself, and we’ve not heard anything from her since. We’ve phoned hospitals. We’ve phoned everywhere we can think. We’ve posted on every social network, and there’s nothing.”

Twitter user @Erin:P urged people to help find her sister: “She’s wearing a pink sweatshirt and blue jeans. Her name is Whitney.”

Another user, @Deplorable MrsK, posted a picture of a young man smiling and wearing a suit, saying: “My son was in the Manchester Arena today. He’s not picking up my call! Please ....”

Among the missing were pair of school friends Laura MacIntyre, 15, and Eilidh MacLeod, 14, who had travelled from the remote Scottish island of Barra to the concert in Manchester.

Laura’s father Michael said it was a birthday present for Eilidh and the pair were “big fans” of Ariana Grande.

“Laura was so happy to be going down there with her friend. It was Laura’s first concert,” he said.

“I was a bit hesitant about her going to a concert so far away but she seemed so happy.” AGENCIES