‘Confirmed fatalities’ in arena blast

Police confirm deaths and injuries at arena

Police confirmed last night that there had been “confirmed fatalities” in a deadly blast at a pop concert in Manchester.

The Manchester Arena venue was packed with fans of American star Ariana Grande when there was a huge explosion shortly after the concert finished, at around 10.40pm.

Details were sketchy late last night but police said there had been many people injured in the incident. The blast is believed to have sparked panic among fans as they scrambled to get out of the building.

Fleets of emergency vehicles raced to the area and armed police flooded the streets. The main railway line, which runs beneath the arena, was also closed.

A number of people have died and others were injured in a reported explosion at Manchester Arena during a pop concert last night, police say.

Witnesses reported hearing a “huge bang” at the venue during an Ariana Grande gig.

Greater Manchester Police said there are already a “number of confirmed fatalities and others injured” and emergency services are at the scene after “reports of an explosion”.

The area around the arena was swamped with police and emergency services. Approach roads have been closed by police.

The explosion is believed to have happened at the ticket office in the crowded foyer.

Manchester’s Victoria station, which backs onto the arena, has been evacuated and all trains cancelled.

One fan at the concert described how the explosion hit the venue as fans were leaving. Majid Khan, 22, said: “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.”

Jade Baynes, 18, from Hull, was told to run from the area by armed police after leaving the concert arena.

She said she heard loud bangs and what sounded like gunshots just after the entertainment had finished.

She added: “There were just a loud bang and a flash and everyone tried to scramble out.”

Picture: PA. Armed police on the streets near the Manchester Arena venue after the incident.

Picture: PA. Music fans comfort each other outside the arena.