A bomb has ripped through Manchester Arena, killing over 20 people and injuring dozens more.
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Twenty-two people killed and a further 59 injured in suicide bombing
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Up to 21,000 people attended the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester
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Ariana Grande says she’s “broken” in the aftermath of the bombing.
Manchester Police have confirmed that a bomb has exploded at Manchester Arena, killing 22 people and injuring 59. They have been treating the incident as a “terrorist event”.
Twenty-two people have been killed after a blast ripped through Manchester Arena during the end of an Ariana Grande concert. Up to 21,000 fans were in attendance of the concert.
At around 10:3o/33 PM as Ariana Grande had finished her concert, thousands of people were streaming out of the concert venue when a bomb was detonated.
Witnesses say that the bomb went off outside the auditorium.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:
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The victims include children. Fifty-nine people were injured in the blast, which has been described as being detonated by a “suicide bomber”. Victims have been taken to eight different hospitals in the Manchester area.
It has been confirmed that the bomber died at the arena.
Police have been treating the event as a terrorist event and is the worst attack in the UK since 7/7 where 56 people were killed in London in 2005.
Speaking at a press conference, the Chief Constable Ian Hopkins called the bombing the “most horrific” incident that Manchester has faced.
He said,
“Families and many young people were out to enjoy a concert at the Manchester Arena and have lost their lives. Our thoughts are with those 22 victims that we now know have died, the 59 people who have been injured and their loved ones.
“We continue to do all we can to support them. They are being treated at eight hospitals across Greater Manchester.
“To remind you, we were called at 10.33pm to reports of an explosion at the Manchester Arena at the conclusion of an Ariana Grande concert. More than 240 calls came in and emergency services were very quickly on scene”.
Emergency numbers have been established for anyone who is concerned for loved ones who may not have returned home 0161 856 9400 or 0161 856 9900.
Ariana Grande is an advocate of the LGBT+ community has countless fans who identify as LGBT. Her brother, Frankie Grande, who is openly gay, has spoken about how his sister was incredibly supportive when he came out to her.
This article is a breaking news article and is being updated as more news comes in.
