ATLEAST19 KILLED IN BLAST AT U. K. GRANDE CONCERT
At least 19 killed, 59injured at Ariana Grande show; police treating incident as terrorist attack
LONDON— An explosion struck an Ariana Grande concert in northern England late Monday, killing at least 19 people and injuring dozens in what police say they are treating as a terrorist attack.
Greater Manchester Police said 19 people were confirmed dead and 59 were injured by the explosion at Manchester Arena. Emergency vehicles were helping the injured, and bomb disposal units were later seen outside the venue.
There was mass panic after the explosion at the end of the concert, which was part of Grande’s The Dangerous Woman Tour. Grande, who was not injured, tweeted hours later: “Broken. From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don’t have words.”
Britain’s terrorist threat level has been set at “severe” in recent years, indicating an attack is highly likely. Police said the explosion is being judged a terrorist attack unless information proves otherwise.
Witnesses reported hearing two loud bangs coming from near the arena’s bars at about 10: 35 p. m., but there were few further details.
“A huge bomb- like bang went off that hugely panicked everyone, and wewere all trying to flee the arena,” concertgoer Majid Khan, 22, told Britain’s Press Association. “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.”
Added Oliver Jones, 17: “The bang echoed around the foyer of the arena, and people started to run.”
Video from inside the arena showed concertgoers screaming as they made their way out amid a sea of pink balloons.
British Prime Minister Theresa May said the government is working to establish “the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack.”
If the incident is confirmed as a terrorist attack, it would be the most deadly in Britain since the London subway bombings in 2005.
The Department of Homeland Security said there is no evidence of credible threats against music venues in theU. S.
Anthony Guglielmi, a Chicago Police spokesman, said there was no known threat to Chicago following the attack.
“CPD is closely monitoring the incident in Manchester and we are in real- time communication with our federal partners,” Guglielmi said in a statement. “At this time, there is no nexus or known threat to the Chicago area but as always, we encourage individuals to report any suspicious activity to 911. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by this horrible tragedy.”