- Manchester Arena rocked by at least one explosion
- At least 19 people confirmed dead, 50 more injured
- Police state it is a suspected terror attack
- Reports that suicide bomber behind the blast
- Police warn people to stay away from area
- Panic as concert-goers flee the arena
- Ariana Grande 'Okay' following the incident
- Offers of help pour on social media
Moment Manchester Arena erupts in panic after 'major incident' at Ariana Grande concert 00:26Auto update
On OffControlled explosion carried out
Greater Manchester Police have carried out a "controlled explosion" in the Cathedral Gardens area near Manchester Arena.
There will be a controlled explosion in Cathedral gardens shortly if you hearing anything don't be concerned.
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
Reports of 'second device'
Police sources have told @bbc5live there's a second suspected device. Reporters have been moved 200m away: "Controlled explosion imminent"
— Hasit Shah (@HasitShah) May 23, 2017
"Controlled explosion in 3-4 mins" - @ColinGPaterson, who's been told to stand against a wall, away from windows, on Corporation St
— Hasit Shah (@HasitShah) May 23, 2017
'Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims'
http://pic.twitter.com/cPwkQbrYp2
— Manchester Arena (@ManchesterArena) May 23, 2017
Death toll confirmed as 19 people
Police have confirmed that 19 people have been killed in the Manchester Arena attack. A further 50 people are injured.
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena http://pic.twitter.com/BEpLOan3dY
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
Reports: 'suicide bomber behind explosion'
Police have not confirmed the reports.
BREAKING: Multiple U.S. officials say UK authorities suspect Manchester incident was conducted by a suicide bomber https://t.co/D0kEd0YliV http://pic.twitter.com/aqCtRQxHSt
— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 23, 2017
#BREAKING Several US officials briefed on investigation tell NBC News UK authorities suspect suicide bomber in #Manchester explosion.
— Stefan Holt (@stefholt4NY) May 23, 2017
Facebook activates 'Safety Check' feature
'There was carnage everywhere'
A father has described seeing "carnage everywhere" in the wake of an explosion at Manchester Arena that left around 30 people, including children and disabled victims, lying on the floor.
The man, named Andy, said he was blown "about 30ft" by a blast that shook the building as he waited to collect his wife and daughter at the end of a concert by US artist Ariana Grande.
He said he later saw panicking families trying to find loved ones in the wake of the incident on Monday night.
He told BBC News: "It's shocking what happened. Just carnage everywhere. There was a good 20 to 30 of them [victims]. Some were young kids, some were disabled people."
Andy said he helped emergency services treat the wounded who were "scattered" by a blast near a box office.
He said: "As I was waiting an explosion went off and it threw me through the first set of doors about 30ft to the next set of doors.
"When I got up and looked around there was about 30 people scattered everywhere, some of them looked dead, they might of been unconscious but there was a lot of fatalities.
"My first thing was to run in the stadium to try and find my wife and daughter.
"When I couldn't find them I looked back outside and the police, fire and ambulance were there and I looked at some of the bodies trying to find my family.
"Luckily they weren't there, I managed to find them outside the arena and got them back to the hotel."
Death toll 'in double figures'
The death toll is in double figures, officials reportedly state.
Witness saw 20 to 30 people on ground
A witness, speaking to the BBC, saw 20 to 30 people on the ground following the explosion.
Police state Manchester Arena explosion is 'possible terrorist incident'
North West Counter Terror Command are treating it as a "possible terrorist incident".
Area in lockdown - armed police at scene
Hundreds of offers of support from people and companies in the Manchester area
The Holiday Inn nearest to Manchester Arena have taken dozens of kids who have been separated from their parents tonight.
— Samuel Carvalho (@SamCarvalho) May 22, 2017
If anyone needs shelter we are right on the outskirts of central Manchester in Salford, anything I can do to help DM me!! #ManchesterArena
— Karolina Staniecka (@karolinaviolet) May 22, 2017
Anyone needing a lift/place to stay from the Manchester Arena, tweet #roomformanchester Retweet and get this trending to help.
— Cal (@Panayisalad) May 22, 2017
If anyone in manchester is stranded, needs help getting home, give me a shout!
— Jaiden Micheal (@jaidenofficial) May 22, 2017
Bomb disposal unit 'at the scene'
Sky News reported that a bomb disposal unit was at the scene.
Explosion came from foyer of arena
British Transport Police confirmed the blast came from "within the foyer area of the stadium at 10.30pm this evening".
The sound of the explosion
If you look towards the left you see the explosion and hear the bang. I hope to GOD everyone is ok, and so glad Jess and Em are. #manchester http://pic.twitter.com/q81KHGEJ6E
— Joe Gregory (@JoeAaronGregory) May 22, 2017
Concert support act sends support
GUYS WE ARE OKAY !!! THANK YOU WE LOVE YOU 🙏❤️
— B I A ⚡️ (@PericoPrincess) May 22, 2017
Tim Farron pays tribute
Tim Farron, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, has said:
This is a shocking and horrific attack targeting children and young people who were simply enjoying a concert.
My deepest sympathies are with the victims, and with families who have lost loved ones, as well as those desperately waiting for news.
I would like to pay tribute to the bravery and dedication of the emergency services.
This is an attack on innocent people and the nation is united both in its grief and its determination to stand up to this deplorable attack.
'It was a huge explosion'
"We were making our way out and when we were right by the door there was a massive explosion and everybody was screaming," Catherine Macfarlane told Reuters.
"It was a huge explosion - you could feel it in your chest. It was chaotic. Everybody was running and screaming and just trying to get out of the area."
Police establishing 'casualty bureau'
Details of a casualty bureau for incident at Manchester Arena will be shared as soon as available. Please stay away from the area
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2017
Police: 'number of confirmed fatalities'
Police statement on incident at Manchester Arena http://pic.twitter.com/gaKASukx9a
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2017
'Disruption is expected to continue until end of the day'
Manchester's Victoria station, which backs onto the arena, has been evacuated and all trains cancelled. National Rail said in an online statement: "Emergency services are dealing with an incident at Manchester Arena. As Manchester Victoria is located near the arena, the station has been evacuated and all lines closed.
"Trains are currently unable to run to / from Manchester Victoria. Some trains will be cancelled throughout or start / terminate at alternative stations. Disruption is expected to continue until end of the day."
'I think what the injuries have come from is people trying to get out as quickly as possible'
Eyewitness Josh Elliot told the BBC he had seen a "guy covered in blood".
He said: "There was also a woman outside who looked like she had been hurt, she was on the floor."
He added: "I think what the injuries have come from is people trying to get out as quickly as possible."
He said that "massive" balloons had come down into the arena during one of Grande's songs.
"My initial reaction was for me and my friends to get on the floor," he said. "I thought it was probably just a balloon, but at the same time in situations like this you just don't know what it is and it's better to be safe than sorry."
Liverpool mayor tweets that his children safe
Liverpool City Region metro mayor Steve Rotheram tweeted: "My 2 daughters caught up in the Manchester explosion at the arena. They are thankfully safe, but I fear for others."
Pictures emerging of injured concert-goers
Police: 'serious incident' at Manchester Arena
Emergency services responding to serious incident at Manchester Arena. Avoid the area. More details will follow as soon as available
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2017
Ariana Grande ‘Okay’ after reports of explosion
A representative for the pop star, who was performing at Manchester Arena, has told Variety she is "okay".
'Reports of blood and people injured'
Oliver Jones, 17, was at the concert with his 19-year-old sister.
He told PA: "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.
"Reports of blood and people injured."
He added: "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."
NW Ambulance service has put out a statement
We confirm that we are responding to an incident at the Manchester Arena. Please follow @gmpolice for updates at this time.
— NWAS NHS Trust (@NWAmbulance) May 22, 2017
Several ambulances attend the scene
BREAKING |
Explosion at the #Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.
— Vocal Europe (@thevocaleurope) May 22, 2017
Ambulances approaching to the stadium. http://pic.twitter.com/rcOEC1TX73
Panic inside the arena
EXPLOSION AT MANCHESTER ARENA AND EVERYONE RAN OUT SO SCARY😭 http://pic.twitter.com/pJbUBoELtE
— ♡♡ (@hannawwh) May 22, 2017
'Everyone was running away in big crowds'
Suzy Mitchell, 26, whose flat is opposite the venue, reported a huge bang rocking the neighbourhood. She told the Press Association: "(I) just heard a huge bang from my bed, came out to the front of my apartments (we're on the top floor so have perfect view) and everyone was running away in big crowds.
"The bang was so big I heard it from my room which is at the back of the apartment blocks.
"Currently lots of emergency services going to and from. But can't see anything substantial as of yet except fleeing people and lots of cars."
#ManchesterVic - Manchester Victoria station has been evacuated and trains are unable to run.
— National Rail (@nationalrailenq) May 22, 2017
'A huge bomb-like bang went off'
One fan at the concert described how the explosion hit the venue as fans were leaving the building. Majid Khan, 22, said: "I and my sister, along with a lot of others were seeing Ariana Grande perform at Manchester Arena, and we were all exiting the venue when around 10.40-10,45pm-ish a huge bomb-like bang went off that hugely panicked everyone and we were all trying to flee the arena.
"It was one bang and essentially everyone from the other side of the arena where the bang was heard from suddenly came running towards us as they were trying to exit Trinity Way and that was blocked so everyone was just running to any exit they could find as quickly as they could.
"Everyone was in a huge state of panic, calling each other as some had gone to the toilet whilst this had gone off, so it was just extremely disturbing for everyone there."
Trains not stopping at Victoria station
Trains are currently not stopping at Victoria station following the security scare.
Schoolchildren 'ushered into one common room'
Boarders at Chetham's Music School next to Victoria Station and very near the arena have reportedly been ushered into one common room amid reports of explosion.
'Everyone ran out screaming'
Just got out of Manchester arena after seeing Ariana perform. There was a loud bang when the lights came on & everyone ran out screaming 😩
— Riona🌐 (@SmileFor__Niall) May 22, 2017
British Transport Police have tweeted
We are aware of an incident at #ManchesterArena. We have officers at the scene & will provide further updates as soon as possible.
— BTP (@BTP) May 22, 2017
There are some reports the explosion heard could have been part of the act at Manchester Arena
Ariana Grande was performing.
Conflicting reports from Manchester arena. Everything from bombs, to a huge balloon prop bursting. Emergency services on scene.
— Jake (@Jake_afcb) May 22, 2017
Emergency services rush to scene
Police responded to reports of an incident at Manchester Arena. Please stay away from the area. More details to follow....
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2017
Reports of 'massive explosion' in Manchester Arena
Two loud bangs heard around Manchester arena. People running out of the arena. No idea what's going on http://pic.twitter.com/KaRzQckvEE
— Alan Brennan (@alanbmufc92) May 22, 2017