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.
NEW: Video shows concertgoers fleeing Manchester Arena after reports of explosion at Ariana Grande show https://t.co/Wa7ebW4AcB pic.twitter.com/et6KeD3JmO
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 22, 2017
Authorities are on the scene investigating what they say is 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
UPDATE: The Greater Manchester Police has confirmed "a number of fatalities."
Police statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/gaKASukx9a
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2017
UPDATE (7:20 p.m. ET): Law enforcement officials have given NBC News some early statistics.
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 p.m. ET): In the chaos following the explosions, more than 50 children are currently stranded at a nearby Holiday Inn.
Please retweet: For anybody searching for their child in #Manchester, check the Holiday Inn. pic.twitter.com/aRqW4Pk7OA
— Bahar Karimi (@Bahar_K89) May 22, 2017
UPDATE (8:23 p.m. ET): The incident is being treated as a terror attack, according to police.
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/BEpLOan3dY
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
UPDATE (8:39 p.m. ET): The Manchester Police have updated the death/casualty toll.
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/BEpLOan3dY
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
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.
Western LEO tells CNN a male at the scene in Manchester has been identified as probable suicide bomber, per @evanperez & @PamelaBrownCNN
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) May 23, 2017
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.
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena @CCIanHopkins pic.twitter.com/GEABqAk5rr
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
One more update for tonight. Ariana has tweeted the following message.
broken.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017
from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words.