Photo by Joel Goodman/LNP
At least 19 people are dead and 50 others are injured following an explosion at Manchester Arena in Manchester, UK. The incident is being treated as a terror attack, with a man identified at the scene as the probable suicide bomber. Update – Tuesday, May 22nd: The death tole has risen to 22. Find the latest info here.
Reports indicate the explosion occurred around 10:35 p.m. local time in a public foyer outside the arena.
Ariana Grande was performing inside the arena at the time of the incident. Photos and video posted to social media captured a chaotic scene following the explosion, with thousands of concert-goers fleeing for the exits. Several people appeared bloodied and injured, with some receiving assistance from paramedics.
Police have asked the public to avoid the area surrounding the venue as they investigate the incident.
A representative for Grande confirmed the singer was “okay,” according to Variety. Later this evening, she took to Twitter to issue her first statement since the attack.
This is a developing story.
