Twenty-two persons have been confirmed killed and 59 injured in a suicide bombing at Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by US singer Ariana Grande.
Armed police have arrested a 23-year-old man in Chorlton, south Manchester, in connection with the attack.
Meanwhile, the Islamic State group says one of its members planted bombs in the middle of crowds in Manchester, England, where 22 people died in an explosion.
According to Fox News, ISIS did not say whether the attacker was killed.
The group claimed that “30 Crusaders were killed and 70 others were wounded,” higher than the totals confirmed by authorities in Manchester.
The arena explosion occurred shortly after Ariana Grande left the stage at the arena, the city’s largest indoor venue with a concert capacity of around 18,000.
Grande – a 23-year-old American TV teen actress-turned-pop star – has a strong following among teenage girls and children.
It is believed the blast, which shook the building, centered on the area near the box office where concert merchandise is often sold.
The pop star tweeted: “broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words.”
In the aftermath of the explosion witnesses spoke about the fear and confusion that gripped those caught up in the events.
Andy Holey, who had gone to the arena to pick up his wife and daughter who had been at the concert, said: “An explosion went off and it threw me about 30ft 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.
“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.”
Unconfirmed reports from two unnamed US officials suggested a suicide bomber carried out the attack
PM Theresa May said her thoughts were with those affected by “what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack”.
Paramedics at the scene told the BBC they had treated some of the wounded for “shrapnel-like injuries”.
North West Ambulance Service said it had taken 59 casualties from the explosion to hospitals and treated a number of walking wounded.
The prime minister has suspended Conservative Party general election campaigning and will chair a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee later, in response to the attack.
Mrs May said: “We are working to establish the full details” of what happened in Manchester.
“All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected,” Mrs May said.
BBC Home Affairs Correspondent Daniel Sandford said senior counter-terrorism officers were assembling in London and liaising with the Home Office.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: “Terrible incident in Manchester. My thoughts are with all those affected and our brilliant emergency services.”
Greater Manchester metro mayor Andy Burnham said: “My heart goes out to families who have lost loved ones, my admiration to our brave emergency services. A terrible night for our great city.”
British Transport Police said the explosion was in the arena’s foyer, which connects with Victoria train and tram station, a major hub on the northern edge of the city centre.
Shortly after the blast the station was closed and all trains cancelled.
Greater Manchester Police carried out a precautionary controlled explosion in the Cathedral Garden area of the city at about 01:32. The force confirmed it was not a suspicious item. BBC, AFP
