Deaths, Injuries After Reports of Explosion at Ariana Grande Concert
Ariana Grande’s concert in Manchester, England ended with multiple fatalities and injuries on Monday (May 22).
The Greater Manchester Police responded to “reports of an explosion” at the Manchester Arena, where the pop superstar was performing as part of her “Dangerous Woman Tour.” “There are a number of confirmed fatalities and others injured,” tweeted authorities. “Please AVOID the area as first responders work tirelessly at the scene.”
Police statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/gaKASukx9a
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2017
Concertgoer Evie Brewster told The Daily Mail that an explosion sound had fans “screaming and running for the exit” shortly after Grande’s final song.
“We could hear the police and ambulance sirens,” added Brewster. “It was terrifying…There were thousands of people trying to get out at once. They were all screaming and crying. The whole place smelt smokey and burnt.”
Footage of the chaotic scene was posted on social media.
https://twitter.com/hannawwh/status/866775833553379328
PROOF pic.twitter.com/wvWVb7MOko
— aimayee (@aimayeebeth) May 22, 2017
Other concertgoers offered similar accounts, including popular Twitter user @PopCrave, who wrote: “I was at the Ariana Grande show in Manchester. When the show had finished there was an explosion, a moment of silence and people started running and screaming. It was terrifying. There are now armed police and helicopters at the arena. I’m stuck in the car park & shaken up.”
I was at the Ariana Grande show in Manchester. When the show had finished there was an explosion, a moment of silence and people started…
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 22, 2017
…running and screaming. It was terrifying. There are now armed police and helicopters at the arena. I'm stuck in the car park & shaken up.
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 22, 2017
Bia, who is opening for Ariana on the tour, assured fans of her safety on social media. “GUYS WE ARE OKAY !!! THANK YOU WE LOVE YOU.”
GUYS WE ARE OKAY !!! THANK YOU WE LOVE YOU 🙏🏾❤️
— B I A ⚡️ (@PericoPrincess) May 22, 2017
Grande has yet to publicly address the incident. However, fans and fellow artists including Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars, and Katy Perry are sending their prayers to those affected by the tragedy. “My heart hurts for my sister, Ariana & every family affected by this tragic event in the U.K. Innocent lives lost. I’m so sorry to hear this,” tweeted Nicki.
My heart hurts for my sister, Ariana & every family affected by this tragic event in the U.K. Innocent lives lost. I'm so sorry to hear this
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) May 23, 2017
Praying for everyone at @ArianaGrande's show
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) May 22, 2017
No words can describe how I feel about what happened in Manchester. I don't wanna believe that the world we live in could be so cruel.
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) May 23, 2017
Sending all my love and prayers to everyone affected in Manchester and @arianagrande and her team 🙏🏾
— Lil' Kim (@LilKim) May 23, 2017
UPDATE: According to Greater Manchester Police, 19 people have been confirmed dead and around 50 others have been injured as a result of the explosion at Manchester Arena. Police are calling it a “terrorist incident,” while TMZ adds that it was a nail bomb that exploded “in the rotunda area near the front door as people were leaving the concert.”
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/BEpLOan3dY
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
UPDATE 2: 22 are now confirmed dead and 59 others injured in what’s being called the deadliest terror attack on British soil since the 2005 London bombings.
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena @CCIanHopkins pic.twitter.com/LDG1wgX2sT
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017