UPDATE Tuesday 5:10 P.M. EST:
At least 22 people were killed and 59 were injured in Monday night's terror attack in Manchester, England.
The attack was carried out by a suicide bomber just outside of Manchester Arena. A 23-year-old man has been arrested by police in connection with the attack.
The suicide bomber is suspected to be 22-year-old Salman Abedi, a son of Libyan refugees who was reportedly radicalized recently and accused of fundraising for jihadists, but Greater Manchester Police says that he has not yet been "formally identified."
"The priority remains to establish whether he was acting alone or as part of a network," said Chief Constable Ian Hopkins in a statement.
President Trump called those responsible "evil losers" on Tuesday.
A vigil for those who lost their lives took place Tuesday morning at Albert Square in front of Manchester Town Hall.
UPDATE 10:26 P.M. EST:
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement Monday night on the deadly attack in Manchester:
DHS wrote that the department has no information at this time that incidates “a specific credible threat involving music venues in the United States,” but that Americans may experience increased security measures “in and around public places and events as officials take additional precautions.”
UPDATE 10:14 P.M. EST:
Greater Manchester Police held a press conference on the attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, UK, on Monday night.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said reports of an explosion were received at 10:33 P.M. He said that local law enforcement are treating the explosion as a terror attack "until we have further information."
“We are currently treating this as a terrorist incident until we have further information," said Hopkins. "We are working closely with national counterterrorism policing network and UK intelligence partners. This is clearly a very concerning time for everyone. We’re doing all that we can … to support those affected as we gather information about what happened last night."
The North West Ambulence Service has transported 59 casualties to hospitals across the city, reports The Guardian.
"It says it also treated 'a number of walking wounded on scene.'"
UPDATE 9:21 P.M. EST:
Prime Minister Theresa May issued the following statement on Monday night’s 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.”
UPDATE 9:02 P.M. EST:
A suicide bomber is suspected to be responsible for the attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, UK, on Monday, two U.S. officials told Reuters.
Nineteen people have been confirmed dead and an estimated 50 injured. The attack is being treated as a terrorist incident.
The White House has not yet issued a statement.
UPDATE 8:56 P.M. EST:
A representative for Ariana Grande told Fox News Entertainment that the pop singer was not hurt in Monday night's explosion.
Police say that there appears to be one explosion, not two as originally reported.
UPDATE 8:52 P.M. EST:
The second suspect device has been confirmed as abandoned clothing and not an explosive.
There remains no word of possible suspects. The situation is ongoing.
UPDATE 8:40 P.M. EST:
Great Manchester Police report that another device has been found and that there will be a controlled explosion shortly.
"If you [hear] anything don't be concerned," Great Manchester Police wrote on Twitter.
UPDATE 8:31 P.M. EST:
Dashcam footage posted by Joe Gregory on Twitter and published by The Guardian shows what appears to be an explosion on the far left of the screen. A loud bang can be heard in the video as a light flashes from the Manchester arena on the far left of the screen.
Gregory wrote on Twitter that his girlfriend was inside at the time of the explosion. He said that she's safe. He told The Guardian that he was waiting outside in his car to pick her up after the concert.
UPDATE 8:23 P.M. EST:
Manchester Arena reports that the explosions took place "outside of the venue in a public space."
The incident occurred after the concert as attendees were exiting the arena.
The explosions at Monday's Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, UK, are being treated as a terror attack by local police and counter-terrorism officials.
UPDATE 8:15 P.M. EST:
Greater Manchester Police confirm 19 people dead and an estimated 50 injured.
The incident is being treated as a terror attack “until police know otherwise.”
ORIGINAL STORY:
At least 20 people have been reported dead at an Ariana Grande concert in the UK.
Local media reports two explosions took place moments after the pop star finished her performance in Manchester Arena.
Great Manchester Police issued a statement on the incident warning people to avoid the Manchester area:
“Emergency services are currently responding to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena. There are a number of confirmed fatalities and others injured. Please AVOID the area as first responders work tirelessly at the scene. Details of a casualty bureau will follow as soon as possible.”
There is no word yet about who carried out the attack or the status of Ariana Grande’s safety.
The situation is being treated as a terror attack, with armed police on scene.
The story is developing. MRCTV will update this post as more information comes to light.
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