Update: British Prime Minister Theresa May said U.K. officials believe another terror attack is imminent, so the country is increasing the threat level from severe to critical. This means armed soldiers could potentially be deployed and substitute police officers at public events.
May also believes Salman Abadi, the 22-year-old man identified as the suspected suicide bomber by the authorities, may have belonged to a bigger network.
Update May 23, 2017, 5 a.m.: The death toll from last night's Ariana Grande concert explosion has risen to 22, The Guardian reports. Another 59 people were injured in the attack, which police are investigating as a suicide bombing. Officials also confirmed that children were among the dead.
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Manchester's Chief Constable Ian Hopkins told The New York Times that the alleged bomber died in the attack after detonating an "improvised explosive device." He is thought to have acted alone.
Meanwhile, Grande's manager Scooter Braun has posted a statement about the tragic event on Instagram.
"Tonight, our hearts are broken," Braun, who also represents Justin Bieber, wrote. "Words cannot express our sorrow for the victims and families harmed in this senseless attack.
"We mourn the lives of children and loved ones taken by this cowardly act. We are thankful for the selfless service tonight of Manchester's first responders who rushed towards danger to help save lives. We ask all of you to hold the victims, their families, and all those affected in your hearts and prayers."
Update: Ariana Grande has responded to the tragedy at Manchester Arena on Twitter.
broken.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017
from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words.
Original story follows.
At least 19 people were killed and 50 others were injured after following reports of an explosion at a concert featuring singer Ariana Grande in northern England, law enforcement officials said.
Emergency crews arrived at the scene after the blasts, which were first reported about 10:40 p.m. (5:40 p.m. ET), NBC News reported. It was not immediately clear what kind of explosion occurred, and sources stressed that “information was preliminary and subject to change.”
U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May said in a statement that the British Home Office is "working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack," according to ABC News.
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A video on social media from inside the arena shows attendees screaming while fleeing the concert.
EXPLOSION AT MANCHESTER ARENA AND EVERYONE RAN OUT SO SCARY? pic.twitter.com/pJbUBoELtE
— ♡♡ (@hannawwh) May 22, 2017
Video shows people running inside Manchester's Victoria Station after blast reported following Ariana Grande concert https://t.co/oyrooThOrR pic.twitter.com/o5A9Jnr6ER
— ABC News (@ABC) May 22, 2017
Officials told NBC News the blast took place as the concert ended, “catching people as they exited.” A least one blast took place in the foyer of the arena, not the main event hall, the Times reported citing the British Transport Police.
A number of the casualties might have been caused by a stampede of people fleeing the venue, according to NBC News.
”Ariana is O.K.,” her publicist told the Times. “We are further investigating what happened.”
“Ariana Grande had just gone behind the curtain and the lights came up when there was this massive bang and a big cloud of smoke,” a concert-goer told The Guardian.
Another concert-goer told The Manchester Evening News there was a blast at the back of the arena after the final song. “We saw young girls with blood on them, everyone was screaming and people were running,” Sasina Akhtar said.
Eyewitness Karen Ford told the BBC, "The lights had come up everyone was just getting out and walking towards the stairs, when all of a sudden this huge sound which sounded like an explosion went off."
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/BEpLOan3dY
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
— Manchester Arena (@ManchesterArena) May 23, 2017
People took to social media to find loved ones after getting separated amid the chaos after the incident. It appears that two friends who attended the concert were able to find each other thanks to Twitter:
How amazing is social media pic.twitter.com/7IoycnAjGZ
— k (@wtvrkatelyn) May 22, 2017
Grande, 23, is currently on an international tour supporting her 2016 album, “Dangerous Woman.” The tour was scheduled to continue on Thursday at the O2 Arena in London.
Check back for updates this breaking news story.
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