A bomb was detonated outside an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester last night, leaving 22 dead and 59 injured.
The attack came as concert-goers were leaving the venue around 10.30pm local time. Police say that emergency services were called by more than 240 people.
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Police are treating the attack as terrorism, and believe it was a suicide bomber who was working alone.
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena @CCIanHopkins pic.twitter.com/LDG1wgX2sT
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
“We believe the attacker was carrying an improvised device which he detonated causing this atrocity,” they write.
The majority of Grande’s fan base are young women, and police confirmed in a press conference that children are among the dead.
Grande responded to the news with a tweet a few hours after the incident.
broken.
from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words.— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017
It has not been confirmed whether her world tour will continue. Grande is meant to visit the O2 Arena in London on Thursday, and still has shows scheduled in Belgium, Poland, Germany, Switzerland and France before heading over to Asia.
‘from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words’
In the hours following, support has flown in on social media for the victims of the attack.
I’m heartbroken over what happened in Manchester tonight.
Sending love to everyone involved. H— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) May 23, 2017
Thoughts are with #Manchester. A devastating loss of innocence. Music will continue to unite us, not divide us.
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) May 23, 2017
My thoughts, prayers and tears for all those affected by the Manchester tragedy tonight. I’m sending all my love.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) May 23, 2017
Sending mad love to Manchester and to those affected by last night’s tragic events pic.twitter.com/kMWunmSw8c
— Andrew Hayden-Smith (@AndrewHaydSmith) May 23, 2017
Gutted this morning hearing the news, my heart is with Manchester and the families involved. #Manchester #WeStandTogether xxx
— Anthea Light (@LightAnthea) May 23, 2017
my hearts goes out to those people who died at the Ariana Grande concert. All of our love and prayers go out to those affected
#Manchester — farhia (@blazedcam) May 23, 2017
Featured image: lindsaydaniella via Flickr (CC 2.0, resized)
