At least 19 fatalities confirmed at Ariana Grande concert explosion in U.K.

Police confirm multiple fatalities as explosions disrupt pop star's concert

Published May 22, 2017 8:12PM (EDT)

Emergency services arrive close to the Manchester Arena on May 23, 2017 in Manchester, England.   (Getty/Dave Thompson)
Emergency services arrive close to the Manchester Arena on May 23, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Getty/Dave Thompson)

Fans of pop star Ariana Grande ran screaming to the exits after an explosion went off inside a concert held in Manchester, England.

The Greater Manchester Police Department confirmed via its official Twitter account that at least 19 fatalities had been observed on the scene. Police officials urged area residents to stay away from the Manchester Arena, the site of the explosion.

Several armed police officers were filmed patrolling the area around the stadium facility.

According to one concertgoer who was interviewed afterward, event staffers originally told attendees that the explosive sound was a balloon:

Multiple British news sources have reported that the explosion happened outside of the venue. Police also engaged in a controlled explosion of what looked like a suspicious package but was actually some abandoned clothing.

(This is a breaking story and has been updated several times.)


By Matthew Sheffield

Matthew Sheffield is a national correspondent for The Young Turks. He is also the host of the podcast "Theory of Change." You can follow him on Twitter.

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Ariana Grande Breaking Manchester Manchester Arena Music