Yahoo News Manchester 'explosion' being treated as 'possible terrorist incident'
Police are treating an explosion in Manchester that killed 19 people as a terrorist incident.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the blast was "currently being treated as a terrorist incident" and said they were working with national police agencies and the intelligence services to investigate the blast.
Senior counter-terrorism officers are understood to be gathering in London following the explosion, which occurred at the Manchester Arena at 10.33pm, at the end of a concert by pop star Ariana Grande.
Senior national Counter-Terrorism officers are assembling in London. Early estimates put fatalities at #ManchesterArena in double figures
— Daniel Sandford (@BBCDanielS) May 22, 2017
The North West Counter Terrorism Unit is treating the incident at #ManchesterArena as a possible terrorist incident.
— Daniel Sandford (@BBCDanielS) May 22, 2017
Police also carried out a controlled explosion nearby following reports of a suspect device that later turned out to be a bag of clothes.
The explosion is said to have gone off just outside the entrance to the venue as thousands of people were leaving.
If confirmed as a terrorist attack it would the worst atrocity in the UK since 56 people were killed in the 7/7 London bombings in 2005.
