BREAKING: HUGE explosions at Manchester Arena in the UK
Mass panic ensued after two huge explosions ripped through a concert arena in the city of Manchester outside London this evening.
At least 19 people are dead and 59 injured. In addition, dozens are missing.
Confusion and Fear filled the stadium as people tried to reach safety.
At around 10:45 p.m., local time, American pop singer Ariana Grande wrapped up her last song and exited the stage.
Moments later, without warning, two huge explosions sent concert-goers running in terror for the exits. And reports of bloodied victims began surfacing on social media.
The scene is filled confusion at this hour as first responders scrambled to find survivors amidst the rubble. Manchester Victoria train station, which runs underneath the arena, has also been evacuated.
As The Guardian reported:
Police dealing with a “serious incident” in Manchester have confirmed a “number of fatalities” amid unconfirmed reports of an explosion.
“Two loud bangs” were reported at approximately 10:45 p.m., just after the concert had finished. The cause of the blasts was not immediately confirmed.
A spokesman said Grande, who was performing at the arena as part of her “Dangerous Woman” world tour, was “okay” and added, “we are further investigating what happened.”
Witness Reports Described the Terror
Fox News noted:
Concertgoer Sasina Akhtar said that Grande had just finished her last song when “there was an explosion behind us at the back of the arena. We saw young girls with blood on them, everyone was screaming and people were running. There was lots of smoke.”
Majid Khan, 22, heard a “huge bomb-like bang that hugely panicked everyone and we were all trying to flee the arena. 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.”
Oliver Jones, 17, was in the bathroom when he heard “a loud bang that echoed around the foyer of the arena and people started to run,” Jones said. “I (saw) 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.”
Hannah Dane noted that, “As we got outside, lots of police came racing towards the area and the whole of the Victoria train station was surrounded by police. People were screaming and crying everywhere shouting that there’s a bomb and also people were saying there’s a shooter.”
At this hour, Manchester police confirmed multiple fatalities from the huge explosions.
However, the exact number has yet to be determined.
The National Rail service confirmed that all lines in and out of Manchester Victoria station have been closed.
Police are blocking off roads in the area in light of reports there was an active shooter on the scene. Currently, police warn that people should stay away from the area.
As helicopters circle the scene from above, we can only pray that more violence is not on the way.
