UK police: 19 dead, around 50 injured at Ariana Grande concert

Police say reports started around 10:30 p.m. local time


| Updated: 6:26 PM PDT May 22, 2017


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Several people died following an explosion Monday night at an Ariana Grande concert in northern England, police and witnesses said. The singer was not injured, according to a representative.

Authorities confirmed that 19 have died and around 50 were injured in the incident.








Manchester police continued saying they were treating the situation as a terrorist incident “until police know otherwise.”
CNN is reporting that officials have identified a male at the scene as a probable suicide bomber responsible for the incident.
Authorities also tweeted, "There will be a controlled explosion in Cathedral gardens shortly if you hearing anything don't be concerned." Initially it was believed this was related to a suspicious package but after the controlled explosion, UK police determined it "was abandoned clothing, not a suspicious item."

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There will be a controlled explosion in Cathedral gardens shortly if you hearing anything don't be concerned.



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There were few further details of what happened during the concert by the American singer, but witnesses reported hearing two loud bangs coming from near the arena's bars.


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Police statement on incident at Manchester Arena



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"A huge bomb-like bang went off that hugely panicked everyone and we were all trying to flee the arena," concertgoer Majid Khan, 22, told Britain's Press Association. "It was one bang and essentially everyone from the other side of the arena where the bang was heard from suddenly came running towards us as they were trying to exit."
Added Oliver Jones, 17: "The bang echoed around the foyer of the arena and people started to run."
Video from inside the arena showed concertgoers screaming as they made their way out amid a sea of pink balloons.




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Joe Gregory @JoeAaronGregory

If you look towards the left you see the explosion and hear the bang. I hope to GOD everyone is ok, and so glad Jess and Em are. #manchester



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Police advised the public to avoid the area around the Manchester Arena, and the train station near the arena, Victoria Station, was evacuated and all trains canceled.