22 dead, 59 others injured following explosion at Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, UK - UPDATED
[Photo credit: RWong/WENN.com]
UPDATE: Tuesday, May 23 at 10:45 a.m. EST
Last night, Ariana Grande's manager, Scooter Braun, shared this heartfelt message for the fans and families who lost loved ones during the “senseless attack.”
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) May 23, 2017
UPDATE: Tuesday, May 23 at 10:15 a.m. EST
The Telegraph has confirmed that 8-year-old Saffie-Rose Roussos, who was separated from her mother and sister during the Manchester attack, has died from her injuries.
8-year-old confirmed dead after Manchester attack at Ariana Grande concerthttps://t.co/1x0W7HstMZ
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) May 23, 2017
In addition, the Associated Press shared an update saying the US has not yet verified that the Islamic State group was responsible for the Manchester attack last night.
BREAKING: Intelligence chief says US has not yet verified that the Islamic State group was responsible for the Manchester attack.
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 23, 2017
UPDATE: Tuesday, May 23 at 8:58 a.m. EST
According to a tweet from the Associated Press, it has been confirmed that 12 children under the age of 16 were among the 59 injured during the concert attack.
BREAKING: UK ambulance official: 12 children under age of 16 were among 59 injured in concert attack.
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 23, 2017
In addition, BuzzFeed has reported that the first identified victim of the attack is Georgina Callander, an 18-year-old student.
The first victim of the Manchester concert attack has been namedhttps://t.co/eyUWCToJG1 pic.twitter.com/wUgGseuZwo
— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) May 23, 2017
She had been a student at Runshaw College in Leyland, and the university released a statement expressing their sympathies: “Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to all of Georgina's family, friends, and all of those affected by this loss.”
UPDATE: Tuesday, May 23 at 8:06 a.m. EST
According to a tweet from the Associated Press, a member the Islamic State group carried out the attack.
BREAKING: Islamic State group says one of its members carried out the Manchester attack that killed 22 people.
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 23, 2017
Ariana Grande tweeted from her account last night:
broken.
from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words.— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017
In addition, it's reported Grande has suspended her world tour.
The Greater Manchester Police also released a statement at 2:36 a.m. on Tuesday, May 23. In said statement, the number of confirmed dead increased from 19 to 22 with 59 others injured. GM police also confirm that the attacker died in the arena and are working to determine if it was a solo act.
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena @CCIanHopkins pic.twitter.com/LDG1wgX2sT
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
UPDATE: Monday, May 22 at 10:04 p.m. EST
The New York Times reports the attack appeared to involve the use of a nail bomb, according to witnesses.
UPDATE: Monday, May 22 at 8:54 p.m. EST
Greater Manchester Police carried out a precautionary controlled explosion on a suspicious item, which they later confirmed was abandoned clothing, not an undetonated second device.
Officers carrying out a precautionary controlled explosion in Cathedral Garden confirm that it was abandoned clothing, not a suspicious item
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
And, according to Reuters, a suicide bomber is suspected in the explosion:
BREAKING: Suicide bomber suspected in Manchester Arena explosion – two U.S. officials. https://t.co/7Rdgkqnmb6 pic.twitter.com/E0kb362wIb
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) May 23, 2017
UPDATE: Monday, May 22 at 8:45 p.m. EST
NBC News now reports that the Manchester Arena explosion took place in a public area outside of the venue itself. Pop star Ariana Grande was performing at the 21,000 capacity, indoor Manchester Arena on Monday night.
@PeteWilliamsNBC JUST IN: Manchester Arena: Explosion took place outside the venue in a public space. https://t.co/favwBlM71m
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) May 23, 2017
Greater Manchester Police tweeted about their carrying out a controlled explosion, seemingly of an undetonated device found at the scene.
There will be a controlled explosion in Cathedral gardens shortly if you hearing anything don't be concerned.
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
More footage has been released from the scene. Watch the below video from ABC News.
Video shows chaotic scene at Manchester Arena, where police say at least 19 people have died and 50 more are injured https://t.co/0njSpevNbe pic.twitter.com/tsQbNjyV70
— ABC News (@ABC) May 23, 2017
UPDATE: Monday, May 22 at 8:15 p.m. EST
The latest statement from local police on the reported Manchester Arena explosion indicates 19 people are confirmed dead and around 50 injured.
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/BEpLOan3dY
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
A rep for Ariana Grande confirmed the pop singer is safe, saying, “Ariana is OK. We are further investigating what happened.” (via Entertainment Tonight)
BBC correspondent Daniel Sandford tweeted that the explosion is being treated as a “possible terrorist incident.”
The North West Counter Terrorism Unit is treating the incident at #ManchesterArena as a possible terrorist incident.
— Daniel Sandford (@BBCDanielS) May 22, 2017
NBC News is also pointing to terrorist activity, reporting about a possible “backpack bomb” being used in the explosion.
@PeteWilliamsNBC: “Increasing confidence” among investigators this was terror attack; forensic evidence points to possible backpack bomb.
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) May 23, 2017
Accounts from the area describe a harrowing scene after the explosion, with CNN quoting one witness as saying there was “blood everywhere.”
“There was blood everywhere.” A witness describes the scene after reports of explosions at concert in Manchester, UK https://t.co/DJc27Jgj0T pic.twitter.com/9G4chWCIFD
— CNN International (@cnni) May 23, 2017
Facebook has activated its “Safety Check” feature for those in the area of Manchester Arena during the explosion. Go here to access it. (via WPVI-TV)
Read more: The 1975’s Matty Healy on the Manchester attack: “I’m f*cking pissed off”
ORIGINAL POST: Monday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. EST
According to BBC, police are responding to reports of an explosion at an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena in England.
The Greater Manchester Police have released a statement that there are a “number of confirmed fatalities” and others have been injured. Police have advised to avoid the area.
Police statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/gaKASukx9a
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2017
According to NBC News, law enforcement officials say at least 20 people died with hundreds injured. It’s also reported there were possibly two explosions.
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
BREAKING: Multiple senior law enforcement officials say at least 20 dead, hundreds injured. Possibly 2 explosions. https://t.co/83fc9Uorws
— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 22, 2017
Witnesses have reported hearing a “huge bang” following the concert.
I was at the Ariana Grande show in Manchester. When the show had finished there was an explosion, a moment of silence and people started…
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 22, 2017
I took these before the explosion. One of the best nights of my life turned into one of the worst for so many. Praying for everyone there. pic.twitter.com/ZnchoZN4NC
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 22, 2017
The following video appears to show the moments following the explosion:
DEVELOPING: Video appears to show moments after explosion at Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. More: https://t.co/AlrauoBfq1 pic.twitter.com/kgYb2MWU20
— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 22, 2017
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
Read more: Musicians react to tragedy at Manchester concert
