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19 dead in explosion at Ariana Grande concert in Manchester
19 dead in explosion at Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. Police treating event as suspected terrorist incident, with reports it could have been a suicide bomber. Prime Minister Theresa May said officials are "working to establish the full details" of the incident.
LONDON — At least 19 people have died and around 50 others were injured in an explosion at Manchester Arena on Monday evening.
Police have not confirmed the cause of the explosion, which occurred around 10.30 p.m. local time (BST) at an Ariana Grande concert, but it is being treated as a terrorist incident.
British Prime Minister Theresa May said officials are "working to establish the full details" of the what police believe is an "appalling" terrorist attack. "All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected," she added.
Dave Thompson/Getty Images
Manchester police warned residents to avoid the area surrounding the arena, where Grande had just finished a concert. The American singer is safe, according to her spokesperson.
Police detonated a second device in a controlled explosion shortly after the initial event. It was "abandoned clothing" and not a suspicious item.
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Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/BEpLOan3dY
There are a number of reports, including from Reuters, that the first explosion could have been caused by a suicide bomber, although this is yet to be confirmed by local police. Eyewitnesses have suggested that the bomb could have contained nails and other metal items.
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Here's an eyewitness account of the explosion. He describes a "flash" and smell. He says there were bolts on the floor. #ManchesterArena pic.twitter.com/eTA9gZejew
The first incident caused concertgoers to scramble out of the concert building, and videos posted on social media showed police cars and ambulances rushing to the scene. British Transport Police said the explosion occurred in the "foyer area," or lobby, of the Manchester Arena, which has a capacity of 21,000.
REUTERS/Andrew Yates
Kim Jackson, a witness at the scene, described the incident to Business Insider: "We had floor seats and were just heading to exit. There was a massive bang from towards the back of the arena from the corridor area.
"Everyone went silent and then huge crowds of people came running from the back and everyone was screaming and crying. We just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible so we just headed straight for the exit. When we got up to the corridor there was smoke and we could smell burning. We just ran outside and got as far away as we could."
Dave Thompson/Getty ImagesSpeaking to Manchester Evening News, concert goer Sibion Joyce added: "The concert had ended and she had played her last encore. She went off and the lights came on. Everyone got up to leave. As we did we just heard a loud bang. People were running and people were really scared."
REUTERS/Andrew Yates
Trains were cancelled to and from Manchester Victoria train station, according to National Rail, while the station approach has reportedly been closed by police.
Concert goers have been offered accommodation by locals, with people using the #roomformanchester on Twitter to help those in the city stranded without a place to stay. Meanwhile, a desperate hunt for missing people is underway.
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RT AND SPREAD THE WORD. DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN THE WORLD JUST KEEP IT GOING AND IT WILL GET TO SOMEONE #Manchester pic.twitter.com/CHC2lPRXgP
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said on Twitter: "My heart goes out to families who have lost loved ones, my admiration to our brave emergency services. A terrible night for our great city."
Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell added:
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Our great city will, as we have in the past, come together and unite in solidarity. We support all the families and each other #Manchester
The incident comes in the thick of a UK general election campaign, which will be put on hold on Tuesday out of respect for the victims in Manchester.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was one of the first to comment on events, saying his "thoughts are with all those affected." Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron added: "Deepest condolences to the victims and families in Manchester."
Video captures the moment of the explosion:
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If you look towards the left you see the explosion and hear the bang. I hope to GOD everyone is ok, and so glad Jess and Em are. #manchester pic.twitter.com/q81KHGEJ6E
The blast caused pandemonium inside the Manchester Arena and people ran for safety.
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Ambulances rushed to scene and witnesses on the ground have reported an armed police presence.
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Developing Large amount of ambulances heading to Manchester Arena Following Reports of 2 Explosions pic.twitter.com/ezLWuzM8ii Tweet Embed:
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Scene outside Manchester Arena. pic.twitter.com/x9uOXum17G
There were also reports of a bomb disposal unit heading into the arena.
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Bomb disposal going into the arena. pic.twitter.com/FG3g4CkpoM
People emerged from the arena with injuries.
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Pictures of injured people after explosions in #Manchester arena.. pic.twitter.com/FGZ0khVZ4x Tweet Embed:
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Pictures of the injured beginning to come out of Manchester (credit: Joel Goodman) pic.twitter.com/9LebrHAmby
This story is developing.
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