Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena
Officials report 22 are dead and 59 injured following explosions at Manchester Arena where an Ariana Grande concert was held on Monday night (May 22).
Greater Manchester Police initially reported 19 deaths less than three hours after explosions were first reported on the scene.
A separate report came before 8am local time in which police reported 22 lives had been lost. "This has been the most horrific incident we have had to face in Greater Manchester and one that we all hoped we would never see," Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said. The injured are being treated at eight hospitals across Greater Manchester.
NBC reports "Multiple U.S. officials say U.K. authorities suspect Manchester incident was conducted by a suicide bomber." CBS has also reported that the explosions contained nails.
Billboard has confirmed Grande is "okay" with the singer's rep and that her team is further investigating what happened.
According to British Transport Police, an explosion took place within the Manchester Arena's foyer area at 10:30 p.m. local time. The foyer area is connected to the Manchester Victoria station adjacent to the venue and contains the arena's box office, as well as a McDonald's. Manchester Victoria station is Manchester's second largest train station.
The explosion took place shortly after Grande finished her concert as fans exited the arena.
Speaking with Billboard, an eye witness recalled hearing a large bang outside the arena and then the PA speaker system announcing to evacuate and everyone screaming and running chaotically out of the arena. She said she saw people covered in blood as she left.
Greater Manchester is the United Kingdom's second-most populous urban area with a population of 2.55 million.
This story is still developing. We will update as more details become available.
