At least 19 people have been killed and around 5o injured after an explosion at Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by Ariana Grande.- Investigators say they are treating the incident as a terrorist attack “until police know otherwise”.
- The blast was reported to have taken place outside the arena, in the public foyer, shortly after 10.30pm. North West ambulance services said 60 ambulances were dispatched to the arena, with 59 people transferred to six hospitals across Greater Manchester, and a number of “walking wounded” treated at the scene.
- No identities of those killed or injured have been confirmed. No arrests have been made.
- The prime minister, Theresa May, will chair a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee at 9am on Tuesday. In an overnight statement, May said:
We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack.
All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected.
- Party leaders Jeremy Corbyn, Nicola Sturgeon and Tim Farron also expressed condolences. Campaigning for June’s general election has been suspended.
- Ariana Grande, who was not hurt in the explosion, which occurred just moments after her show finished, tweeted that she was
“broken. From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don’t have words.”
- A large area around the arena has been cordoned off. Victoria station has been closed and train services cancelled for the whole of Tuesday. Police have asked people to stay away from the area.
- British Transport Police said extra officers, some armed, would be on patrol today.
- Greater Manchester police has set up a hotline for those concerned about relatives or friends who might have been caught up in the Manchester explosion: 0161 856 9400.
No comments:
Post a Comment