Latest: 22 dead and 59 injured in Manchester attack
22 people have died and a further 59 have been injured following two explosions in Manchester Arena last night.
The blasts went off as fans were leaving an Ariana Grande concert and police believe the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.
People flee Manchester Station after 19 killed in terrorist attack at Ariana Grande concert pic.twitter.com/3Tws9aWCJJ
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) May 23, 2017
Eye witnesses reported hearing ''huge bangs'' shortly after the concert finished at around 10:30 pm on Monday evening.
The area around the venue was quickly cordoned off as police and ambulances arrived at the scene.
Other witnesses described seeing people "running and screaming" from the arena, with some covered in blood.
The moment of the explosion inside the #Manchester Arena. 22 dead and more than 60 wounded, the provisional toll of the massacre. pic.twitter.com/jFSmYdIokH
— Wcn Conflict News (@NewsWcn) May 23, 2017
The incident is being treated as a terrorist attack although no group has yet claimed responsibility.
This morning Chief constable, Ian Hopkins confirmed that ‘children are among the deceased’.
Ariana Grande took to Twitter late last night to express her condolences for those killed in the attack.
broken.
from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words.— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017
Anyone with concerns for Irish citizens in Manchester should contact the embassy in London on 00 44 207 235 2171 or the Department in Dublin on 01 408 2000.
