At least nineteen people have been killed in a suspected explosion at
the end of a pop concert by US star Ariana Grande in Manchester in
northwest England that is being treated as a terrorist incident, police
said.Eyewitnesses described a “huge bomb-like bang” and scenes of panic as young fans fled the venue.A fleet of ambulances was seen rushing to the venue and bomb disposal teams were dispatched soon after.
“So far 19 people have been confirmed dead, with around 50 others injured. This is currently being treated as a terrorist incident until police know otherwise,” police said in a statement.
Live updates:
6:45am: Britain PM Theresa May says working to establish the full details of the Manchester blast.
6:30am: Unconfirmed reports say a suicide bomber had detonated a nail-filled explosive device.
6:25am: British police carried out a controlled explosion near the Manchester Arena venue after a suspected blast killed 19.
“There will be a controlled explosion in Cathedral Gardens shortly if you hearing anything don’t be concerned,” police said on Twitter, referring to a small park opposite the concert venue.
But a second tweet said: “Officers carrying out a precautionary controlled explosion in Cathedral Garden confirm that it was abandoned clothing, not a suspicious item”.
6: 20am: The first unconfirmed reports of an explosion emerged shortly after 2145 GMT on Monday. “We heard the last song go and then suddenly there was a massive flash and then a bang and smoke,” said Gary Walker from Leeds who was with his wife waiting for their daughters to come out told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Walker said he was hit by shrapnel in his foot while his wife sustained a stomach wound.
6:15am Isabel Hodgins, who had been attending the concert, told Sky News: “Everybody was panicking, there was pushing up the stairs. The corridor was full, it smelled of burning, there was quite a lot of smoke as we were leaving. It’s just shocking and we just feel very shaken up. We’re just lucky to have gotten away safely.”
Majid Khan, 22, who was attending the concert with his sister, said: “A huge bomb-like bang went off that hugely panicked everyone and we were all trying to flee the arena”.
Several media outlets reported that there had been two explosions from within the 21,000 capacity venue.
Robert Tempkin, 22, from Middlesbrough, told the BBC: “Everyone was screaming and running, there were coats and people’s phones on the floor. People just dropped everything. Some people were screaming they’d seen blood but other people were saying it was balloons busting or a speaker had been popped. There were lots of ambulances. I saw somebody being treated. I couldn’t tell what had happened to him.”
The Manchester ambulance service warned people only to call “for life threatening emergencies” as it had “a large number of resources at the incid
Suzy Mitchell, whose flat is opposite the venue said she heard “a huge bang” and came out of her flat to see “everyone was running away in big crowds”.
Train services to and from Manchester Victoria Station -- located under the Arena -- had been cancelled.
“Disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day,” National Rail said in a statement.
British Transport Police said in a statement: “Officers are at Manchester Arena following reports of an explosion within the foyer area of the stadium at 10.30pm this evening.
The incident caused transport chaos, with traffic jams outside the venue.
“Emergency services are dealing with an incident near Manchester Victoria, resulting in all lines being closed,” operator Northern Railway wrote on its website.
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