At Least 22 Dead, Dozens Injured at Manchester Arena (UPDATED)
Multiple people died and more were injured at an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena in the United Kingdom on Monday, and police are saying they have responded to reports of an explosion.
A number of social media posts first reported the explosion, including a video showing a crowd of fans evacuating the stadium:
EXPLOSION AT MANCHESTER ARENA AND EVERYONE RAN OUT SO SCARY? pic.twitter.com/pJbUBoELtE
— ♡♡ (@hannawwh) May 22, 2017
Manchester Police issued a statement confirming the incident, as well as “a number of confirmed fatalities and others injured.”
The statement said emergency services were responding to reports of an explosion at the arena, and asked people to avoid the area:
Police statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/gaKASukx9a
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2017
Watch Fox News’ report above.
UPDATE –– 7:20 pm ET: NBC News is reporting now that at least 20 people are dead and hundreds more are injured:
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 –– 7:32 pm ET: A bomb disposal unit is now on the scene:
A bomb disposal unit has just arrived outside the Manchester Arena. Can also hear sniffer dogs being brought out of the vans pic.twitter.com/SgTPZxMLyg
— Chris Slater (@chrisslaterMEN) May 22, 2017
UPDATE –– 8:07 pm ET: There is a preliminary report from the BBC that this is being treated as a possible act of terrorism:
The North West Counter Terrorism Unit is treating the incident at #ManchesterArena as a possible terrorist incident.
— Daniel Sandford (@BBCDanielS) May 22, 2017
UPDATE –– 8:14 pm ET: The latest police statement says at least 19 people are dead and more are injured:
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/BEpLOan3dY
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
UPDATE –– 8:25 pm ET: The Manchester Arena has tweeted out a brief statement:
— Manchester Arena (@ManchesterArena) May 23, 2017
UPDATE –– 8:39 pm ET: The police said on Twitter minutes ago they would be setting off a controlled explosion:
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
UPDATE –– 8:45 pm ET: An update to the above:
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
UPDATE –– 9:16 pm ET: The video below appears to show dash cam footage that picks up audio from the explosion:
The moment of a reported explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, UK, can be heard in this dashcam video https://t.co/Nd9hiHK5W5 pic.twitter.com/6SJChWvDT5
— CNN (@CNN) May 23, 2017
UPDATE –– 9:26 pm ET: Prime Minister Theresa May has released a statement condemning what is now being treated as an “appalling terrorist attack”:
Full statement from UK Prime Minister Theresa May on #Manchester “terrorist attack” pic.twitter.com/SMKtefWlkb
— Joshua Hoyos (@JoshuaHoyos) May 23, 2017
UPDATE –– 10:07 pm ET: The police are now sharing this emergency number for people worried about anyone who might have been in the area:
An emergency number is available for those who are concerned about loved ones or anyone who may have been in the area – 0161 856 9400
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
And there was a police presser just minutes ago:
Chief Constable on #ManchesterArena incident: “We are currently treating this as a terrorist incident, until we have further information.” pic.twitter.com/kV4Q2W6KW9
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) May 23, 2017
UPDATE — 10:24 pm ET: The Department of Homeland Security has addressed the attack in a new statement:
DHS statement on Manchester incident pic.twitter.com/lJhLsGTeP7
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) May 23, 2017
UPDATE — 10:58 pm ET: Ariana Grande has tweeted her sadness in response the attack:
broken.
from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words.— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017
UPDATE — 7:32 am ET: Manchester Police said they have a 23-year-old man in custody:
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
