More Than 20 Confirmed Dead Following Explosion At Ariana Grande Concert In The U.K.
Update: Manchester police confirm 22 people dead, and 59 injured.
There was a reported explosion at Ariana Grande's Manchester, England concert on Monday night. Manchester police are reporting that there have been casualites. Concert-goers fled the arena after what was described as a "loud bang." Police and emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after to respond to what they were describing at the time as a "serious incident."
In a statement, the Manchester Police stated that there were "a number of confirmed fatalities and others injured," but did not specify details of the event. Grande was reportedly not harmed.
According to statements given to the Telegraph, witnesses saw people covered in blood as they were exiting the venue.
Police are warning people to stay away from the area surrounding the arena.
A representative for Ariana Grande was not immediately available for comment.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Update: May 21, 7:50 p.m.
Manchester officials are saying that at least 20 people have died following the reported explosion.
Update: May 21, 8:14 p.m.
Despite previous reports, Manchester police have now given accurate details about the number of victims following the explosion. 19 people are confirmed dead, while around 50 have been injured. The police are treating this as a terrorist incident.
Update: May 21, 10:15 p.m.
In a statement given to press, Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said that the victims are being treated in six hospitals across the Manchester area. He also gave a number to call if people are wondering about their loved ones: 0161 856 9400.
Live Nation, the concert's promoter, gave a statement to Billboard, saying, "We are deeply saddened by this senseless tragedy and our hearts and thoughts are with those impacted by this devastating incident."
Update: May 21, 11:05 p.m.
Ariana Grande took to Twitter to share a brief statement. "i am so so sorry," she wrote.
Scooter Braun, Grande's manager, also released a statement about the events in Manchester, thanking the Manchester first responders and asking that people keep the victims in their thoughts and prayers. Read the whole statement below.
Update: May 21, 11:05 p.m.
Scooter Braun, Grande's manager, has released a statement about the events in Manchester, thanking the Manchester first responders and asking that people keep the victims in their thoughts and prayers. Read the whole statement below.
Update: May 23, 4:02 a.m. 22 people are confirmed dead in suspected suicide attack. Another 59 were injured.
A statement from Greater Manchester police has confirmed that the latest death toll stands at 22 with a further 59 injured. Children are among those who lost their lives in the attack. Victims are currently being treated at hospitals across the city.
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed the attack was carried out by lone male who died in the blast. He was carrying an improvised explosive device which he detonated at around 10:35 p.m. GMT in a public space directly outside Manchester Arena.
Police have set up an emergency number for those concerned about friends and relatives: 0161 8569400.
There will be no trains to or from Manchester Victoria station on Tuesday while all parties invovled in the U.K.'s national general election have suspended campaigning for the day.
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, gave a joint press conference with the leader of Manchester City Council, Sir Richard Leese.
He said after the "darkest of nights" Manchester was waking up to "the most difficult of dawns". The attack was described by Burnham as "an evil act."
Update: May 23, 4:50 a.m. EST. Donald Trump describes Manchester attacker as an "evil loser."
Speaking during a press conference with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank, Trump blamed "evil losers" for the attack. He added that he won't call terrorists "monsters" as "they'd think that's a great name."
Similarly, U.K. PM Theresa May said that "we are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack."
Jeremy Corbyn, meanwhile, honored the emergency services in their handling of the situation at hand.
Other world leaders and politicians have also issued statements following the attack:
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said “People in the UK can rest assured that Germany stands shoulder to shoulder with them.”
Italy’s prime minister, Paolo Gentiloni, sent his thoughts to the people affected.
The Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, condemned the atrocity, tweeting: “My condolences to the families of the dead and my best wishes for the victims’ speedy recovery."
Update: May 23, 7:00 a.m. EST. PM Theresa May says the people of Manchester have fallen victim to a “callous terrorist attack.”
In a statement delivered from 10 Downing Street May said police know the identity of the man responsible for the attack but will not disclose a name at the present time. They are working to establish whether he acted alone or as part of a wider network.
Watch May's statement below, via The Guardian.
Update: May 23, 7:14 a.m. The first victim of the suspected suicide attack has been named as 18-year-old Georgina Callander.
Runshaw College, where Callander was on the second year of a health and social care course, released a statement, saying: “It is with enormous sadness that it appears that one of the people who lost their lives in Monday’s Manchester attack was one of our students here at Runshaw College [...]
Update: May 23, 7:17 a.m. EST Manchester police have confirmed the arrest of a 23-year-old in connection with the attack.
Update: May 23, 8:25 a.m. EST. ISIS has now claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Associated Press reports that the so called Islamic State laid claim to the Manchester bombing.
The group said that "a soldier of the Khilafah managed to place explosive devices in the midst of the gatherings of the Crusaders in the British city of Manchester," in a statement.
It was added that the attack was "in response to their transgressions against the lands of the Muslims."
Similar announcements have been made by ISIS in the wake of terrorist attacks in the past and do not necessarily indicate any level of international coordination or planning.