• News

• All

May 22, 2017 Ariana Grande By Christopher Roberts

Two explosions went off in foyer at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England tonight right after Ariana Grande finished her concert. The BBC are reporting that 19 are confirmed dead, with around another 50 injured. Grande is reportedly unharmed, according to Billboard. While the source of the explosions has not been determined, North West Counter Terrorism Unit is investigating it as a potential terrorist attack. The death toll could rise into the double digits and Greater Manchester Police are urging people to stay away from the area. Nearby Manchester Victoria train station has been closed and all trains cancelled. The police responded at 10:35 PM local time. Many of the attendees were children and teenagers. Below are statements from Greater Manchester Police and various social media posts of the chaos that followed the explosions.

Andy Holey, who had gone to the arena to pick up his wife and daughter, described his perspective on the incident to the BBC‘s Tim Ashburn: “As I was waiting, an explosion went off and it threw me about 30 feet from one set of doors to the other set of doors. When I got up I saw bodies lying on the ground. My first thought was to go into the Arena to try to find my family. When I couldn’t find them, I went outside with the police and fire and looked through some of the bodies to try and find my wife and daughter. I managed to find them eventually and they’re OK. It was definitely an explosion and it was some force. It happened near the box office at the entrance to the Arena.”

Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/BEpLOan3dY

— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017

Police statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/gaKASukx9a

— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2017

Two loud bangs heard around Manchester arena. People running out of the arena. No idea what’s going on pic.twitter.com/KaRzQckvEE

— Alan Brennan (@alanbmufc92) May 22, 2017

#Manchesterarena please retweet for those involved in the incident at Manchester arena. pic.twitter.com/KJtdHxMYgG

— ASHLEA. (@xlittlebee_) May 22, 2017

EXPLOSION AT MANCHESTER ARENA AND EVERYONE RAN OUT SO SCARY???? pic.twitter.com/pJbUBoELtE

— ♡♡ (@hannawwh) May 22, 2017

Taxis in Manchester are offering FREE rides home for anyone stuck in the Manchester Arena area. Let your friends/family know.

— azy (@azymanzur) May 22, 2017

I was inside Ariana Grande’s concert in Manchester Arena. Right at the end a explosion was heard. Smoke on the corridors and blood

— Critico en serio (@criticoenserio) May 22, 2017

There people lying on the floor of the corridor. Loads of kids and little girls

— Critico en serio (@criticoenserio) May 22, 2017

Support Under the Radar on Patreon.