22 dead in Ariana Grande gig explosion

From Digital Spy

22 people have been confirmed dead including children with at least 59 others injured after a reported explosion at Ariana Grande's concert at Manchester Arena on Monday night (May 22).

The 21,000-seater venue was hosting a stop on the US popstar's Dangerous Woman Tour when witnesses reported hearing a "huge bang" after Grande had left the stage.

Greater Manchester Police chief constable Ian Hopkins confirmed that 22 people have died, including children, with 59 injured. He explained the attack was carried out by a lone man, who died at the scene.

Police are treating it as a terrorist incident, and a 23-year-old man has been arrested in south Manchester in relation to the attack.

In a statement to press, Hopkins said: "This has been the most horrific incident we have had to face in Greater Manchester and one that we all hoped we would never see.

"Families and many young people were out to enjoy a concert at the Manchester Arena and have lost their lives. Our thoughts are with those 22 victims that we now know have died, the 59 people who have been injured and their loved ones. We continue to do all we can to support them. They are being treated at eight hospitals across Greater Manchester.

"This is a fast-moving investigation and we have significant resources deployed to both the investigation and the visible patrols that people will see across Greater Manchester as they wake up to news of the events last night. This will include armed officers as people would expect. More than 400 officers have been involved in the operation during the night.

"To remind you, we were called at 10.33pm to reports of an explosion at the Manchester Arena at the conclusion of an Ariana Grande concert. More than 250 calls came in and emergency services were very quickly on scene. Emergency numbers have been established for anyone who is concerned for loved ones who may not have returned home: 0161 856 9400 or 0161 856 9900.

"We have been treating this as a terrorist incident and we believe that while the attack last night was conducted by one man, the priority is to establish whether he was acting alone or as part of a network.

"The attacker, I can confirm, died at the arena. We believe the attacker was carrying an improvised explosive device, which he detonated, causing this atrocity. We would ask people not to speculate on his details or to share names. There is a complex and wide-ranging investigation under way.

"Our priority is to work with the national counter-terrorist policing network and UK intelligence services to establish more details about the individual who carried out this attack."

A spokesperson for Ariana Grande's record label has told Variety that the singer is "okay". Digital Spy has also reached out to Grande's team for additional information on her status and the status of her tour crew.

She later took to Twitter to say she had "no words" to express her grief:

Names of the 22 people killed in the incident have started to be released by grieving families this morning, with teenager Georgina Callander named as the first victim.

Runshaw College in Lancashire confirmed the news, adding in a statement on Facebook that Georgina was in the middle of the second year of her Health and Social Care course

British Transport Police officers say the incident took place in the foyer of the arena after Grande had just finished performing.

Manchester Arena have said in a statement: "We can confirm there was an incident as people were leaving the Ariana Grande show last night.

"The incident took place just outside the venue in a public space. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims."

Footage has begun to emerge of the moment last night's bombing took place, which shows the reaction inside the arena and fans scrambled to exit the venue.

The vicinity surrounding the arena has been evacuated and police are asking the public to continue avoiding the area and to remain vigilant.

Manchester Metrolink is also suspending service through Victoria Station while the police action unfolds.

Armed police have been stationed outside the arena, while a bomb disposal unit was reported to be at the scene.

Andy Burnham, only elected Mayor of Greater Manchester earlier this month, said: "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."

Prime Minister Theresa May also paid tribute to the victims and families of those involved in "what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack".

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