Police: Explosion at Ariana Grande concert 'being treated as terrorist incident'

Death toll has risen to 22, children among the deceased

(TWITTER/@hannawwh via CNN)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – Greater Manchester Police said an explosion at an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena is being treated as a terrorist incident.

"This is currently being treated as a terrorist incident until police know otherwise," Greater Manchester Police said on Twitter.

Recommended Videos



Police also confirmed at least 22 people are dead and around 59 others are injured after the explosion.

What happened

Police reported multiple fatalities at an Ariana Grande concert that was reportedly interrupted by an explosion at the Manchester Arena in England.

The Associated Press reports the singer was not injured, according to a representative.

VIDEOSChaotic scene in England after deadly explosion at Ariana Grande concert

There were no immediate 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.

"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.

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.

Joseph Carozza, a representative from Grande’s US record label, said the singer is OK and they are investigating what happened.

The Dangerous Woman Tour is the third concert tour by Grande to support her third studio album, Dangerous Woman. The tour began on February 3 in Phoenix, Arizona at the Talking Stick Resort Arena.

From Manchester the tour is to move through Europe, including Belgium, Poland, Germany, Switzerland and France, through the summer with stops in Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico and on to Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, New Zealand, Australia and more.


About the Authors:

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.