Fatal Explosion at Ariana Grande Concert

Image: PHOTO: Manchester Arena during a concert. (photo via Wikimedia Commons)
Image: PHOTO: Manchester Arena during a concert. (photo via Wikimedia Commons)
Janeen Christoff
by Janeen Christoff
Last updated: 8:56 PM ET, Mon May 22, 2017

The death toll has risen to 22 people following a terrorist attack on Manchester Arena Monday night, making it the deadliest act of terrorism in Britain since 2005, according to The New York Times.

Police in Manchester said the act was carried out by a single suicide bomber, but authorities are searching through security footage to determine if the terrorist was working alone. A 23-year-old man was arrested "with regards to last night's incident," but police did not provide any further information.

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"We now know that a single terrorist detonated his improvised explosive device near one of the exits of the venue, deliberately choosing the time and place to cause maximum carnage and to kill and injure indiscriminately," British Prime Minister Theresa May said during a televised press conference.

"The explosion coincided with the conclusion of a pop concert which was attended by many young families and groups of children," May continued. "This attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice, deliberately targeting innocent, defenseless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives."

BBC reporter Daniel Sandford is reporting that the youngest victim in the attack was primary school age. The other victims were older children and adults.

ABC News is reporting ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Multiple attendees at the 20,000-seat stadium said they felt a "huge explosion."

One witness, Catherine Macfarlane described the scene as "chaotic." "Everybody was running and screaming and just trying to get out," she said, according to a story in Reuters.

The following was posted by Manchester Police on Facebook shortly after the incident, according to CNN "Emergency services are currently responding to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena. There are a number of confirmed fatalities and others injured. Please avoid the area as first responders work tirelessly at the scene. Details of a casualty bureau will follow as soon as available."

"A huge bomb-like bang went off that hugely panicked everyone and we were 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."

Nearby, Victoria Station was also evacuated and trains were canceled.


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Janeen Christoff

Janeen Christoff

Executive Editor - AGENTatHOME | TravelPulse Content Strategy

Editor Executive Editor - AGENTatHOME | TravelPulse Content Strategy true [email protected] 9088 14744 Janeen Christoff caught the travel bug while living in London, England. After two years on the road, she settled in Los Angeles and focused her writing on

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