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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2017/may/22/manchester-arena-ariana-grande-concert-explosion-england
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Next version
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Manchester Arena: 19 dead after explosion at Ariana Grande concert – latest updates | Manchester Arena: 19 dead after explosion at Ariana Grande concert – latest updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.35am BST | |
| 03:35 | |
| Eyewitness Joe Gregory posted footage on Twitter that appears to show the explosion in the Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by Ariana Grande. Gregory said he had been waiting outside the arena for his girlfriend, who was attending the concert. | |
| 3.27am BST | |
| 03:27 | |
| Greater Manchester chief constable: full statement | |
| Here is the full update from Greater Manchester chief constable Ian Hopkins: | |
| I can confirm the details of events tonight that we currently know. At around 10.33pm last night we received reports of an explosion at the Manchester Arena in the city centre. It was at the conclusion of an Ariana Grande concert. | |
| Currently we have 19 people confirmed to have died and around 50 people injured. | |
| The injured are being treated at six hospitals across Greater Manchester. My thoughts are with all those who have been affected and we are doing all we can to support them. | |
| Officers from GMP and emergency services are working at the scene and are supporting those affected. We are coordinating the response from GMP headquarters. | |
| An emergency number is available for those who are concerned about loved ones or anyone who may have been in the area. It is 0161 856 9400. | |
| We are currently treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise. We are working closely with the national counter-terrorism policing network and UK intelligence partners. | |
| This is clearly a concerning time for people but we are doing all we can, working with local and national agencies to support those affected and gather information about what has happened tonight. As you will understand, we are still receiving information and updates, so will provide more details when we have a clearer picture. | |
| I want to thank people for their support and would ask them to remain vigilant and if they have any concerns report them in confidence to us on the anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789321. | |
| It is important people avoid the area so that we can effectively deal with the incident. | |
| Updated | |
| at 3.28am BST | |
| 3.21am BST | |
| 03:21 | |
| The US department of homeland security has issued a statement saying it is “closely monitoring the situation at Manchester Arena” and that there could be “increased security” in public places and music events in the US: | |
| We are working with our foreign counterparts to obtain additional information about the cause of the reported explosion as well as the extent of injuries and fatalities. | |
| US citizens in the area should heed direction from local authorities and maintain security awareness. We encourage any affected US citizens who need assistance to contact the US embassy in London and follow department of state guidance. | |
| At this time, we have no information to indicate a specific credible threat involving music venues in the United States. However, the public may experience increased security in and around public places and events as officials take additional precautions. | |
| We stand ready to assist our friends and allies in the UK in all ways necessary as they investigate and recover from this incident. | |
| Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this incident. | |
| 3.13am BST | |
| 03:13 | |
| The North West ambulance service says it has taken 59 casualties from Manchester Arena to hospitals across the city. | |
| It says it also treated “a number of walking wounded on scene”. | |
| 3.04am BST | |
| 03:04 | |
| Police press conference | |
| Greater Manchester police is holding an update to brief the press and public on the incident. | |
| Chief Constable Ian Hopkins says reports were received at 10.33pm of an explosion. | |
| He says 19 people have died, with a further 50 people injured and being treated at hospitals across Greater Manchester. | |
| He says an emergency number has been set up for those worried about loved ones: 0161 856 9400. | |
| We are currently treating this as a terrorist incident until we have further information … | |
| This is clearly a very concerning time for everyone. We are doing all that we can. | |
| He says police are working with other officials to investigate the circumstances of the explosion. | |
| He asks people to avoid the area around the arena while the investigation is ongoing. | |
| 2.59am BST | 2.59am BST |
| 02:59 | 02:59 |
| With campaigning for June’s general election understandably suspended, politicians have been responding to the events in Manchester. | With campaigning for June’s general election understandably suspended, politicians have been responding to the events in Manchester. |
| Home secretary Amber Rudd said: | Home secretary Amber Rudd said: |
| My thoughts are with all those affected by this barbaric act. The full details of exactly what happened are still emerging, but I am proud of the police and first responders who reacted to this tragic incident so swiftly. | My thoughts are with all those affected by this barbaric act. The full details of exactly what happened are still emerging, but I am proud of the police and first responders who reacted to this tragic incident so swiftly. |
| Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: | Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: |
| Heartbreaking news from Manchester. My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones or been injured in this barbaric attack. | Heartbreaking news from Manchester. My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones or been injured in this barbaric attack. |
| Steve Rotheram, the Liverpool city region metro mayor, said his daughters had been at the venue: | Steve Rotheram, the Liverpool city region metro mayor, said his daughters had been at the venue: |
| Thank you to the Alpha taxi driver who percivered and eventually got through the traffic to pick up my 2 girls from the Manchester Arena. | Thank you to the Alpha taxi driver who percivered and eventually got through the traffic to pick up my 2 girls from the Manchester Arena. |
| All my thoughts go out to those parents waiting to hear of the safety of their children. It's a parents worse nightmare. So, so sad. | All my thoughts go out to those parents waiting to hear of the safety of their children. It's a parents worse nightmare. So, so sad. |
| 2.54am BST | 2.54am BST |
| 02:54 | 02:54 |
| Vikram Dodd | Vikram Dodd |
| Police said they were dealing with a possible terror incident at the Manchester Arena, with witnesses claiming to have heard an explosion around 10.40pm. | Police said they were dealing with a possible terror incident at the Manchester Arena, with witnesses claiming to have heard an explosion around 10.40pm. |
| Sources said the the initial theory was that a suicide bomber was behind the suspected explosion, which took place as revellers, many young, were leaving. It was feared the casualty toll may rise. | Sources said the the initial theory was that a suicide bomber was behind the suspected explosion, which took place as revellers, many young, were leaving. It was feared the casualty toll may rise. |
| Counter-terrorism officials were assessing what caused the explosion. Officers from the police and the domestic security service MI5 were part of the investigation. | Counter-terrorism officials were assessing what caused the explosion. Officers from the police and the domestic security service MI5 were part of the investigation. |
| 2.42am BST | 2.42am BST |
| 02:42 | 02:42 |
| The prime minister, Theresa May, will chair a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee on Tuesday morning. | The prime minister, Theresa May, will chair a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee on Tuesday morning. |
| A statement from 10 Downing Street confirmed that police are currently treating the incident at Manchester Arena as an “appalling terrorist attack”. | A statement from 10 Downing Street confirmed that police are currently treating the incident at Manchester Arena as an “appalling terrorist attack”. |
| 2.40am BST | 2.40am BST |
| 02:40 | 02:40 |
| Some very poignant observations from reporters at the scene. Many of those at the concert were children and teenagers. | Some very poignant observations from reporters at the scene. Many of those at the concert were children and teenagers. |
| Two more ambulances have just pulled into children's A&E at Manchester Royal Infirmary, followed by a van carrying blood supplies | Two more ambulances have just pulled into children's A&E at Manchester Royal Infirmary, followed by a van carrying blood supplies |
| Parents are still arriving here to pick up children. Saw one woman hobbling away from the scene, supported by police. | Parents are still arriving here to pick up children. Saw one woman hobbling away from the scene, supported by police. |
| 2.31am BST | 2.31am BST |
| 02:31 | 02:31 |
| What we know so far | What we know so far |
| We are awaiting a fresh update from Greater Manchester police. In the meantime, here is what has been verified: | We are awaiting a fresh update from Greater Manchester police. In the meantime, here is what has been verified: |
| At least 19 people have been killed and around 5o injured after an explosion at Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by Ariana Grande. | At least 19 people have been killed and around 5o injured after an explosion at Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by Ariana Grande. |
| The blast was reported to have taken place outside the arena, in the public foyer, shortly after 10.30pm. | The blast was reported to have taken place outside the arena, in the public foyer, shortly after 10.30pm. |
| Investigators say they are treating the incident as a terrorist attack “until police know otherwise”. | Investigators say they are treating the incident as a terrorist attack “until police know otherwise”. |
| No identities of those killed or injured have been confirmed. | No identities of those killed or injured have been confirmed. |
| A large area around the arena has been cordoned off. Victoria station has been closed and train services cancelled. | A large area around the arena has been cordoned off. Victoria station has been closed and train services cancelled. |
| A controlled explosion carried out by police in nearby Cathedral gardens turned out not to be suspicious. | A controlled explosion carried out by police in nearby Cathedral gardens turned out not to be suspicious. |
| Prime minister Theresa May said: | Prime minister Theresa May said: |
| We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack. | We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack. |
| All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected. | All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected. |
| Party leaders Jeremy Corbyn and Tim Farron also expressed condolences. Campaigning for June’s general election has been suspended. | Party leaders Jeremy Corbyn and Tim Farron also expressed condolences. Campaigning for June’s general election has been suspended. |
| 2.24am BST | 2.24am BST |
| 02:24 | 02:24 |
| Helen Pidd | Helen Pidd |
| Our North of England editor is at a hospital where the wounded are being treated: | Our North of England editor is at a hospital where the wounded are being treated: |
| I’ve just spoken to 17-year-old Ellie Ward with her mother outside Manchester Royal Infirmary. Her 64-year-old grandad was caught in the blast while waiting for her and her friend to come out of the concert. They said he was in the corridor by the merchandise stand in the tunnels underneath the tiered seating when he was hit by falling glass. | I’ve just spoken to 17-year-old Ellie Ward with her mother outside Manchester Royal Infirmary. Her 64-year-old grandad was caught in the blast while waiting for her and her friend to come out of the concert. They said he was in the corridor by the merchandise stand in the tunnels underneath the tiered seating when he was hit by falling glass. |
| Ellie said after visiting him: | Ellie said after visiting him: |
| He’s OK but he’s cut his cheek, they said he had severed an artery. A lot of glass shattered on him. | He’s OK but he’s cut his cheek, they said he had severed an artery. A lot of glass shattered on him. |
| He said only realised what had happened when he felt the side of his head and it was bleeding. He was underneath the seats, by the merchandise, waiting for us to come out when we heard a massive shudder. We knew something was wrong. | He said only realised what had happened when he felt the side of his head and it was bleeding. He was underneath the seats, by the merchandise, waiting for us to come out when we heard a massive shudder. We knew something was wrong. |
| 2.18am BST | 2.18am BST |
| 02:18 | 02:18 |
| Theresa May statement | Theresa May statement |
| The prime minister has responded with a statement: | The prime minister has responded with a statement: |
| We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack. | We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack. |
| All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected. | All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected. |
| 2.14am BST | 2.14am BST |
| 02:14 | 02:14 |
| Police at the scene say there are still a lot of people in the area – the capacity of Manchester Arena is 21,000. | Police at the scene say there are still a lot of people in the area – the capacity of Manchester Arena is 21,000. |
| Buses have been pressed into service to ferry people out of the area; some local taxi companies are also offering free rides for those affected. Rail services have been cancelled. | Buses have been pressed into service to ferry people out of the area; some local taxi companies are also offering free rides for those affected. Rail services have been cancelled. |
| Authorities are using Out Of Service buses to transport people safely out of the cordoned area #Manchester pic.twitter.com/LMG33Laip6 | Authorities are using Out Of Service buses to transport people safely out of the cordoned area #Manchester pic.twitter.com/LMG33Laip6 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.14am BST | at 2.14am BST |
| 2.09am BST | 2.09am BST |
| 02:09 | 02:09 |
| The security minister, Ben Wallace, has called for vigilance. He calls the incident an attack; police have said they are treating it as possible terrorism, but we are waiting for confirmation. | The security minister, Ben Wallace, has called for vigilance. He calls the incident an attack; police have said they are treating it as possible terrorism, but we are waiting for confirmation. |
| Wallace said: | Wallace said: |
| In the light of the attack in Manchester tonight, please be vigilant and if you see anything suspicious call the anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789123. | In the light of the attack in Manchester tonight, please be vigilant and if you see anything suspicious call the anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789123. |
| My thoughts are with all the victims of the incident tonight and our emergency services who are out there tending wounded and keeping us safe. | My thoughts are with all the victims of the incident tonight and our emergency services who are out there tending wounded and keeping us safe. |
| 2.01am BST | 2.01am BST |
| 02:01 | 02:01 |
| Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has tweeted his condolences: | Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has tweeted his condolences: |
| My heart goes out to families who have lost loved ones, my admiration to our brave emergency services. A terrible night for our great city | My heart goes out to families who have lost loved ones, my admiration to our brave emergency services. A terrible night for our great city |