Manchester: At least 19 persons feared dead and 59 other were critical injured after a suspected terror attack here on Monday night at the conclusion of a concert by American pop singer Ariana Grande.
This is the second explosion in the city in past 21 years that took place at around 10.35 p.m. (local time) on Monday at the Manchester Arena where around 20,000 fans, mostly youngsters, had gathered.
The fans were streaming out of the arena, shortly after Grande had left the stage, as the explosion occurred.
At least 60 ambulances attended the scene of the blast, the UK North West Ambulance Service tweeted. The Manchester Royal Infirmary Hospital was blocked off to all but essential staff after the attack.
At least 19 killed after blast in singer Ariana Grande’s concert in Manchester:
No group or individual has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but supporters of the Islamic State (IS) terror group were seen celebrating the blast on social media, the British media reported.
The blast shook the arena building even as fans were trying to flee, international English news channel reported, quoting a US official as saying a suicide bombing, most probably carried out by a male, caused the blast.
According to a witness, the sound of wailing sirens soon cut through the smoky air outside the venue.
Calvin Welsford, an 18-year-old concertgoer, said he heard a “loud bang” a couple of minutes after Grande’s set had finished.
British Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the “appalling terrorist attack”, and suspended campaigning for the June 8 general election.
