Police statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/gaKASukx9a
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2017
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."
Emergency services responding to serious incident at Manchester Arena. Avoid the area. More details will follow as soon as available
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2017
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.
#BREAKING: 'Explosions' heard at Ariana Grande concert in #Manchester, UK – police urge people to 'stay away' pic.twitter.com/UJPRkEyISU
— Corrina Pysa (@CorrinaPysa) May 22, 2017
Major incident at the Manchester Arena. People clearly shaken. Huge police and ambulance response. #Manchester pic.twitter.com/6aqteCsYet
— Darryl Morris (@darrylmorris) May 22, 2017
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.
NBC News: Law enforcement officials say at least 20 dead and hundreds have been injured following reports of an explosion in Manchester, UK.
— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) May 22, 2017
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.
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/BEpLOan3dY
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
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.
Statement from Chief Constable pic.twitter.com/KrjnU3Br0W
— Hannah Al-Othman (@HannahAlOthman) May 23, 2017
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena @CCIanHopkins pic.twitter.com/GEABqAk5rr
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
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.
broken.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017
from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words.
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.
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) May 23, 2017
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.
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) May 23, 2017
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.
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena @CCIanHopkins pic.twitter.com/LDG1wgX2sT
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
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."
Here's Andy's speech from this morning in full. pic.twitter.com/JqVTC09zDw
— Mayor Andy Burnham (@MayorofGM) May 23, 2017
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.
Terrible incident in Manchester. My thoughts are with all those affected and our brilliant emergency services.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) May 22, 2017
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.
Italia si unisce al popolo e al governo britannici. I nostri pensieri alle vittime dell'attacco di #Manchester e alle loro famiglie
— Paolo Gentiloni (@PaoloGentiloni) May 23, 2017
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.
With regards to last night’s incident at the Manchester arena, we can confirm we have arrested a 23-year-old man in South Manchester.
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
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."
#ISIS releases English-language version of claim for #Manchester bombing pic.twitter.com/j8n6lHt1eQ
— SITE Intel Group (@siteintelgroup) May 23, 2017
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.
