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​Police Say Suicide Bombing Kills 22 People In Manchester

​Police Say Suicide Bombing Kills 22 People In Manchester

The attacker died in the explosion.

Mel Ramsay

Mel Ramsay

Greater Manchester Police have announced that 22 people have now been killed in what they are treating as a suicide bombing at the Manchester Arena on Monday Night.

Police chief Ian Hopkins has also said that a lone attacker died when detonating an improvised explosive device in the attack.

The arena says that the explosion happened outside of the arena, after concert of American pop star Ariana Grande had finished, at around 10:33pm.

Police later found a 'suspect device' around the same area and conducted a controlled explosion at around 1:30am.

Eyewitnesses reported that nuts and bolts strewn around the floor. Others reported the 'smell of explosives'.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: "Currently we have 19 people confirmed to have lost their lives in the casualty. My thoughts are with those who are injured and have lost their lives. We are doing all we can to support them and their families.

An emergency number is available for all those concerned about their loved ones. That number is 0161 856 9400.

We are currently treating this as a terrorist incident. As you will understand we are still receiving information."

Ariana Grande has cancelled the rest of her world tour as a mark of respect.

The actions of the announcer at Manchester Arena have been praised in the wake of the attack.


And the announcer has been given credit for the way in which he responded.

Earlier, Jenna-Lea May Alston, who was at the concert, told LADbible: "I was sat in block 206 and after the concert had finished my boyfriend, Adam, wanted to leave. I told him to stay and wait until people had gone.

"The lights came on and we heard a massive bang. I've never heard anything like it in my life. It was louder than fireworks. There was screaming, you didn't know what to do.

"We tried to go out, and when we did, two girls opened the doors and instantly ran back screaming that there was a bomb. We all thought the absolute worst.

"Eventually when they told us to evacuate we went down the same set of stairs and all I could see were bodies, smoke and blood. I could see man with blood down his back, and young girls.

"It was by where the old McDonald's used to be. There were bodies lying on the floor, I saw it with my own eyes."

Earlier footage had appeared on social media of the moment the suspected explosion hit the arena.

The newly elected mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, has also tweeted his reaction to the horror.

He 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."

Manchester has rallied together and ensured that all those affected are well looked after.

Many have opened their doors to their businesses and homes while and offered food, drink and somewhere to sleep.

An emergency number is available for those who are concerned about loved ones or anyone who may have been in the area - 0161 856 9400

Featured Image Credit: PA Images