19 dead in explosion at Arianda Grande concert in Manchester city
London:
At least 22 people were killed on Monday night in an explosion after an Ariana Grande concert at the UK's Manchester Arena, which police are treating as a possible terror attack. Ian Hopkins, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, said around 59 people were taken to six hospitals after the blast, which took place in the foyer area. Mr Hopkins said the incident took place around 10:33 pm at the end of the concert. British Prime Minister Theresa May called it an "appalling terrorist attack".
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There were scenes of panic as Grande's audience of largely teen and pre-teen fans fled the 21,000-capacity venue after what was described by witnesses as a "huge bomb-like bang".
Within moments, ambulances and bomb disposal teams were seen rushing to the venue, as city residents opened up their doors to stranded concert-goers after train services were shut down.
The police carried out a controlled explosion in a small park near the venue a few hours after the blast but said the item turned out to be only abandoned clothes.
Train services to and from Manchester Victoria Station -- located under the Arena -- had been cancelled.
"Disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day," National Rail said in a statement.
The incident caused transport chaos, with traffic jams outside the venue.
A witness, Gary Walker, who had gone with his wife to pick up his daughters from the concert, said: "We heard the last song go and then suddenly there was a massive flash and then a bang and smoke." He and his wife were wounded.
Another witness said everyone was screaming and running, dropping their coats and phones, just scrambling to safety.
The Manchester ambulance service warned people to stay away from the site and only to call "for life threatening emergencies" as it had "a large number of resources at the incident".
Greater Manchester Police's chief constable Ian Hopkins said local police in the city were working with national counter-terrorism and intelligence officials on the investigation.
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