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Explosion Sends People Fleeing at Ariana Grande Concert in the UK

Cortney O'Brien
Cortney O'Brien  |  May 22, 2017 7:00 PM

An explosion appeared to go off during an Ariana Grande concert in the United Kingdom's Manchester Arena Monday night. Video captured the moment concertgoers were sent fleeing. The artist herself is reported to be fine, according to her spokesperson. Sadly, several audience fatalities have been recorded.

Authorities are on the scene investigating what they say is a "serious incident."

UPDATE: The Greater Manchester Police has confirmed "a number of fatalities."

UPDATE (7:20 p.m. ET): Law enforcement officials have given NBC News some early statistics. 

UPDATE (7:32 p.m. ET): In the chaos following the explosions, more than 50 children are currently stranded at a nearby Holiday Inn.

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UPDATE (8:23 p.m. ET): The incident is being treated as a terror attack, according to police.

UPDATE (8:39 p.m. ET): The Manchester Police have updated the death/casualty toll.

UPDATE (9:24 p.m. ET): More information related to the location of the explosions. 

At least one explosion happened in the foyer of the arena, not the main event hall, according to the British Transport Police, the force that protects Victoria Station, the train terminus next to the arena. The terminal was evacuated.

UPDATE (9:52 p.m. ET): Reports indicate that a male suspect is the suicide bomber behind Monday's attack.

UPDATE (9:55 p.m. ET): British Prime Minister Theresa May has released a statement in light of the concert tragedy:

“We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack," she said. "All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected.”

May has also announced she will suspend election campaigning for the general election previously scheduled for June 8.

UPDATE (10:32 p.m. ET): The Greater Manchester Police have released a longer statement with more information about Monday's tragedy.

One more update for tonight. Ariana has tweeted the following message.