British police have responded to an explosion during an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. Early reports indicate that 19 people were killed and 50 injured in what is being investigated as a possible terrorist act.
The bomber was identified as 22 year-old Salman Abedi, the son of Libyan immigrants. According to authorities, he died in the explosion. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Theresa May has raised the terror alert to its highest level.
Grande responded to the attack in a tweet after the show:
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/866849021519966208
The Dangerous Woman Tour was scheduled to make a stop at London’s O2 Arena Thursday but TMZ is reporting that Grande has suspended the tour indefinitely.
Among the 22 killed and 59 injured in the attack were many children under 16.
The BBC is reporting that the blast occurred in one of the foyers to the arena at approximately 10:35 p.m. BST. A second suspected device was located in the vicinity of the explosion.
The injured are being treated for shrapnel-type wounds amid a huge police presence. A bomb disposal unit was also dispatched to the scene. The Greater Manchester Police issued a statement via Twitter regarding the incident:
Police statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/gaKASukx9a
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2017
A video posted by a concertgoer shows the ensuing panic within the arena moments after the explosion.
https://twitter.com/hannawwh/status/866775833553379328
Grande is on a world tour to promote her Dangerous Woman album. Her publicist confirmed that Grande is O.K. She is next scheduled to perform at O2 Arena in London on Thursday. No word yet as to whether that will happen.
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