Pictures from the suspected terror attack at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, UK
UPDATES: More pictures are coming in from the deadly explosion that happened after an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena. GALLERY
NINETEEN people have been killed in a suspected terrorist attack during a pop concert by US star Ariana Grande in the northwest English city of Manchester..
There were scenes of panic as Grande’s audience of youthful fans fled the 21,000-capacity venue after what eyewitnesses described as a “huge bomb-like bang” in the foyer area at the end of the concert.
At least two parents waiting for their children outside were injured by the explosion, with one saying he had been hit by shrapnel in his leg and another feeling “heat on my neck”.
Ambulances and bomb disposal teams rushed to the venue, as worried family members searched for their loved ones and residents opened their doors to stranded concert-goers after trains were cancelled.
“So far 19 people have been confirmed dead, with around 50 others injured.
This is currently being treated as a terrorist incident until police know otherwise,” police said in a statement.
British Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the “appalling terrorist attack” and suspended her campaign ahead of a general election on June 8.
“All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected,” said May, who was due to chair an emergency ministerial meeting later on Tuesday at around 0800 GMT.
Grande, who was due to give a concert in London later on Tuesday, said she was “broken” in a tweet.
“Broken. From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don’t have words,” she wrote.
A fleet of ambulances was seen rushing to the venue and bomb disposal teams were dispatched soon after, as city residents opened up their doors to stranded concertgoers after train services were shut down.
“As I was waiting, an explosion went off and it threw me about 30ft (about 10 metres) from one set of doors to the other set of doors,” Andy Holey, who had gone to the arena to pick up his wife and daughter from the concert, told the BBC.
“When I got up I saw bodies lying on the ground. My first thought was to go into the arena to try to find my family.
“When I couldn’t find them, I went outside with the police and fire and looked through some of the bodies to try and find my wife and daughter.
“I managed to find them eventually and they’re OK.”
Tributes poured in for Manchester from around the world including from London mayor Sadiq Khan, whose city was struck by a terror attack just two months ago.
“Our thoughts are with all those killed and injured tonight and our brave emergency services,” he said.
The pop world also rallied with Katy Perry tweeting: “Praying for everyone at Ariana Grande’s show”.
US pop princess Taylor Swift, a friend of Grande, wrote: “My thoughts, prayers and tears for all those affected by the Manchester tragedy tonight”.
In Manchester, residents tweeted with the hashtag #RoomforManchester to offer a place to stay and there were reports of taxis taking passengers for free.
Concerned relatives used the hashtag #MissinginManchester to locate loved ones.
Train services to and from Manchester Victoria Station -- located under the Arena -- had been cancelled.
“Disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day,” National Rail said in a statement.
A few hours after the blast, police carried out a controlled explosion in a small park near the venue a but said the item turned out to be only abandoned clothes.
UPDATING STORY: Terror blast kills 19 at Ariana Grande concert
LATEST: Eyewitnesses tell of the horror that comforted them
More and more pictures of the shocking incident are coming to hand. See them below in our gallery:
Originally published as Pictures from the suspected terror attack at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, UK