22 killed in suicide blast at Manchester Arena

At least 22 people, including children, have been killed in a suicide bomb attack at the Manchester Arena in Northern England. A further 59 were injured in the explosion which happened at the end of a concert by US singer Ariana Grande, around 10.30pm local time. Police say the attacker detonated an improvised explosive device and died at the scene. Prime Minister Theresa May said the incident was being treated as a terrorist attack, making it the deadliest assault in Britain since the London transport bombings in July 2005. Panic and chaos followed the blast as thousands of mainly teenage fans tried to escape the arena. “It happened so quickly. It was really scary” https://t.co/uM1vulqxzK— Manchester News MEN (@MENnewsdesk) May 23, 2017 “It was a huge explosion – you could feel it in your chest. It was chaotic. Everybody was running and screaming and trying to get out,” said one witness. It appears to have been centred on the arena’s box office. “We believe, at this stage, the attack last night was conducted by one man,” Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins told reporters. Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena CCIanHopkins pic.twitter.com/LDG1wgX2sT— G M Police (gmpolice) May 23, 2017 “The priority is to establish whether he was acting alone or as part of a network. “We believe the attacker was carrying an improvised explosive device which he detonated causing this atrocity.” Nail bomb? Witnesses said they noticed the floor was covered in nails, nuts and bolts. Paramedics confirmed they had treated some of the wounded for “shrapnel-like injuries”. Greater Manchester Police quickly secured the area including the nearby Victoria train station where all trains were cancelled. Some hours later a precautionary controlled explosion in the Cathedral Garden area of the city was carried out. Police have now confirmed it was not a suspicious item. Dozens of people were taken to hospitals across the city for treatment. Desperate family and friends continue to use social media to try to locate missing teenagers. Prime Minister Theresa May is to chair a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee later today. All main political parties have suspended their general election campaign. British PM Theresa May issues statement following Manchester explosion https://t.co/psuO6vvBqg pic.twitter.com/XL522NiqZi— Bloomberg (@business) May 23, 2017 The current terror threat level in the UK remains at ‘severe’, the second-highest, meaning an attack by militants is considered likely. Manchester Residents Open Their Doors to Survivors Left Stranded By Concert Explosion https://t.co/8rG25wkDtf— People Magazine (@people) May 23, 2017 Manchester Arena, the largest indoor arena in Europe, opened in 1995 and has a capacity for 21,000 people, according to its website. It is a popular concert and sporting venue. broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words.— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017 I’m heartbroken over what happened in Manchester tonight. Sending love to everyone involved. H— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) May 23, 2017