Two loud explosions were reportedly heard at an Ariana Grande gig at the Manchester Arena around 10.40pm on Monday
A number of concert-goers have been killed in a reported explosion at the Manchester Arena this evening.
Emergency services are at the scene.
Ariana Grande had just finished her performance when two ‘loud bangs’ were reportedly heard at between 10.40pm and 10.45pm.
Greater Manchester Police said: “Emergency services are currently responding to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena.
“There are a number of confirmed fatalities and others injured.
“Please AVOID the area as first responders work tirelessly at the scene.
“Details of a casualties bureau will follow as soon as possible.”
We’ll be bringing you the latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story…
KEY EVENTS
Gig-goers sheltering in nearby hotel
Many people at the gig are reportedly still inside the Holiday Inn waiting to be collected.
Bangs followed by ‘deafening screams’
Connor Rohan, 23, was with friends at the gig and said he heard bangs followed by ‘deafening screams’.
He said: “It was just panic and people running. No one knew what was going on and there was an awful lot of screaming.”
Ambulances arrive at MRI
A number of ambulances have come in with patients in the past few minutes at Manchester Royal Infirmary.
Police interceptor car seen heading out of city centre followed by military vehicle
‘We’re expecting mass casualties’
Reporter John Scheerhout is at Wythenshawe Hospital, from where he said:
“A nurse just came out and announced in A&E ‘Anybody who is not serious, can you please leave and get treatment elsewhere as there have been reports of an explosion in Manchester, we’re expecting mass casualties”.
Pictures from outside Manchester Arena
British Transport Police: Reports explosion was ‘in foyer’ of arena
Statement from British Transport Police says:
“Officers are at Manchester Arena following reports of an explosion within the foyer area of the stadium at 10.30pm this evening.
“Emergency services are at the scene and we are working to establish more information regarding the explosion and will provide further updates as soon as possible.
‘We saw blood on people when we got outside. People were just running all over the place.’
David Richardson was at the gig with his daughter Emily, 13.
He said:
“The lights came on after the gig and people were starting to leave. As I turned to the left there was an explosion. It was about 40ft behind us near one of the exits. We just thought it was people messing about then it happened again. Another explosion sounded.
“Then we saw the smoke. Everyone just fled. Some people were injured. We saw blood on people when we got outside. People were just running all over the place.
“People have said it was a speaker or balloons but it wasn’t. It was explosions.”
Bomb squad seen driving towards the arena
A bomb disposal unit appears to be making it way to the scene.
More ambulances and police arriving at scene
Reporter Chris Slater is also on the scene:
Just arrived outside the Manchester Arena where there is a huge emergency service response including armed officers standing guard.
More ambulances and police vehicles are arriving all the time.
‘People were crying and having panic attacks’
Eyewitness Sibion Joyce, 22, from Bury, said:
“The concert had ended and she had played her last encore. She went off and the lights came on. Everyone got up to leave. As we did we just heard a loud bang. People were running and people were really scared.
“We were just following everyone and suddenly the police and the ambulance were here.
“People were crying and having panic attacks. It was awful.”
Parents comforting ‘visibly upset’ children
Parents have been arriving here and comforting visibly upset children, crying and hugging in the street.
We have been moved further away from the arena ‘for our own safety’ by the police.
Pictures show police cordons outside Manchester Arena
Police have cordoned off a street close to the Manchester Arena after reports of explosions. People are being ordered to stay away from the area.
Armed police are at the scene
Eyewitness Andy Holey says he saw ‘several bodies’
Andy Holey, whose wife and daughter were at the concert, told BBC News that the explosion was near to a ticket office, and he was blown off his feet when it happened.
He said he saw several bodies around him when he came to.
Witness describes ‘explosion’ near exit, says it ‘wasn’t a speaker or balloon’
David Richardson was at the gig with his daughter Emily, 13. He said:
“The lights came on after the gig and people were starting to leave. As I turned to the left there was an explosion. It was about 40ft behind us near one of the exits. We just thought it was people messing about then it happened again. Another explosion sounded.
“Then we saw the smoke. Everyone just fled. Some people were injured. We saw blood on people when we got outside. People were just running all over the place.
“People have said it was a speaker or balloons but it wasn’t. It was explosions.”
Heavy police presence outside Manchester Arena
Eyewitness says people were ‘running and screaming’ from arena
Oliver Jones, 17, was at the concert with his 19-year-old sister. He said:
“I was in the toilet and heard a loud bang just after the concert had finished and people had started to leave.
“The bang echoed around the foyer of the arena and people started to run.
“I seen people running and screaming towards one direction and then many were turning around to run back the other way.
“Security was running out as well as the fans and concert goers.
“[There were] reports of blood and people injured. In so much shock and panic. You see this on the news all the time and never expect it to happen to you. I just had to run and make sure me and my sister were safe.”
‘Explosion’ caught on camera
Video footage shows a flash of light at the moment an explosion was reported at the Manchester Arena.
Ariana Grande ‘safe’
Ariana Grande’s spokesperson has confirmed that the singer was unhurt in the explosion.
Statement from Greater Manchester Police
“Emergency services are currently responding to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena.
“There are a number of confirmed fatalies and others injured.
“Please AVOID the area as first responders work tirelessly at the scene.
“Details of a casualties bureau will follow as soon as possible.”
Video: Police responding to reports of two explosions at Manchester Arena
There are a number of confirmed fatalities.
There are a number of confirmed fatalities
Police have confirmed a number of confirmed fatalities and others injured.
Suggestion of stampede after bangs
A suggestion here that a loud bang caused a panic in the arena.
Station Approach closed outside Victoria
Police have closed Station Approach. Ambulances and police vehicles outside Victoria.
Announcements asking people to evacuate station
Announcements can be heard coming from the station urging people to make their way to exits.
Large police response
Police vans outside the evacuated Victoria station. Police have closed Station Approach. Ambulances and police vehicles are outside Victoria.
Reports from eyewitness at Ariana Grande gig
Eyewitness Sasina Akhtar said:
“She did her last song, we were in the lower tier and there was an explosion behind us at the back of the arena. We saw young girls with blood on them, everyone was screaming and people were running. There was lots of smoke.”
GMP responding to ‘serious incident’
Greater Manchester Police call it a ‘serious incident’, reiterating their earlier call to avoid the area.
‘Loud bangs’ reportedly heard as concert ended
Witnesses say a loud bang was heard at between 10.40pm and 10.45pm.
The Ariana Grande gig ended at around 10.30pm.
