Manchester Arena explosion: 22 people killed and 59 injured in terrorist attack at Ariana Grande concert

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Twenty-two people have been killed and 59 others have been injured in an explosion at Manchester Arena that police are treating as a terrorist attack.

Witnesses reported hearing a "huge bang" outside the venue as an Ariana Grande gig - attended by 21,000 people - was ending just after 10.30pm on Monday.

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said 22 people had died, while North West Ambulance Service said it had taken 59 people to hospital.

Mr Hopkins said: "We are currently treating this as a terrorist incident until we have further information."

Police then carried out a controlled explosion on an object in the Cathedral Gardens area, although that turned out to be a bag of abandoned clothing.

0161 856 9400

 

The emergency hotline set up by Greater Manchester Police for anyone worried about missing relatives who were at the concert

Reuters is reporting two American officials say a suicide bomber may have been responsible.

The area around the arena was swamped with police and emergency services. Approach roads have been closed by police.

Witnesses said they heard two loud bangs inside the arena and coming from where the bars are located.

Manchester Arena said: "We can confirm there was an incident as people were leaving the Ariana Grande show.

"The incident took place outside the venue in a public space.

Manchester Arena explosion

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"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims."

Manchester's Victoria station, which backs onto the arena, has been evacuated and all trains cancelled.

One fan at the concert described how the explosion hit the venue as fans were leaving the building.

Majid Khan, 22, said: "I and my sister, along with a lot of others were seeing Ariana Grande perform at Manchester Arena, and we were all exiting the venue when around 10.40-10.45pm-ish a huge bomb-like bang went off that hugely panicked everyone and we were all trying to flee the arena.

"It was one bang and essentially everyone from the other side of the arena where the bang was heard from suddenly came running towards us as they were trying to exit Trinity Way and that was blocked so everyone was just running to any exit they could find as quickly as they could.

"Everyone was in a huge state of panic, calling each other as some had gone to the toilet whilst this had gone off, so it was just extremely disturbing for everyone there."

If it is confirmed as a terrorist attack, it will be the worst since the 7/7 atrocity.

Jade Baynes, 18, from Hull, was told to run from the area by armed police after leaving the concert arena.

She said she heard loud bangs and what sounded like gunshots just after the entertainment had finished.

A convoy of ambulances on the way to Manchester Arena
@SamWardMCR/PA Wire

She added: "There were just a loud bang and a flash and everyone tried to scramble out.

"An alarm came on telling everyone to stay calm but leave as quickly as possible."

Jade and her friend Jasmine Mia, 21, also from Hull, said there appeared to be some sort of commotion in the first tier of the arena, with a number of stewards stood around the seats.

Armed police have now swamped the streets around the arena and police are moving members of the public away from the area.

National Rail said in an online statement: "Emergency services are dealing with an incident at Manchester Arena. As Manchester Victoria is located near the arena, the station has been evacuated and all lines closed.

"Trains are currently unable to run to/from Manchester Victoria. Some trains will be cancelled throughout or start/terminate at alternative stations. Disruption is expected to continue until end of the day."

British Transport Police said: "Officers are at Manchester Arena following reports of an explosion within the foyer area of the stadium at 10.30pm this evening.

"Emergency services are at the scene and we are working to establish more information regarding the explosion and will provide further updates as soon as possible."

Joseph Carozza, a representative from Grande's US record label, said the singer is okay and they are investigating what happened.

Several fleet of ambulances are still arriving at the arena. Yet more police cars and vans are speeding around streets in the area, including what appeared to be an Army Land Rover.

Prime Minister Theresa May has said her thoughts are with the victims and families of those affected in "what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack".

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