22 People Dead After Bombing at Ariana Grande Concert in Manchester
Twenty-two people are dead and 59 are injured after a bomb reportedly detonated outside of Ariana Grande's concert at the Manchester Arena late Monday night, May 22.
The incident occurred minutes after the concert concluded, as concertgoers were exiting the venue.
Extremist terrorist group ISIS has since taken responsibility for the attack, according to the New York Post.
"One of the soldiers of the Caliphate was able to place an explosive device within a gathering of the Crusaders in the city of Manchester," ISIS issued in a statement published on its social media channels.
The Greater Manchester Police have arrested an unnamed 23-year-old man in South Manchester.
Last night, Billboard confirmed with Grande's team that the singer herself was "okay." She made her first public statement on Twitter a few hours after the incident, writing, "broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words."
Queen Elizabeth issued a statement early Tuesday morning, responding to the tragedy.
"I know I speak for everyone in expressing my deepest sympathy to all who have been affected by this dreadful event and especially to the families and friends of those who have died or were injured," she said, going on to praise emergency service workers who were quick to respond at the scene.
"I want to thank all the members of the emergency services, who have responded with such professionalism and care. And I would like to express my admiration for the way the people of Manchester have responded, with humanity and compassion, to this act of barbarity," the Queen continued.
ORIGINAL STORY: A "loud bang" reportedly caused the audience at the Manchester Arena to leave in a panic at Ariana Grande's Dangerous Woman concert stop in Manchester Monday evening. Police have confirmed fatalities.
"Just before 10:35pm on Monday 22 May 2017, police were called to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena. So far 19 people have been confirmed dead, with around 50 others injured. This is currently being treated as a terrorist incident until police know otherwise," the Greater Manchester Police revealed in a statement issued on social media.
"Police are now treating this as a terrorist act. There are reports the explosive device was a 'nail bomb'... which explains the images of victims, several bleeding profusely on the scene," TMZ reported at the time.
"The North West Counter Terrorism Unit is treating the incident at #ManchesterArena as a possible terrorist incident," confirmed Daniel Sandford, Home Affairs Correspondent for BBC News. "Senior national Counter-Terrorism officers are assembling in London. Early estimates put fatalities at #ManchesterArena in double figures."
Early reports claimed attendees heard "two explosions."
"Several people present—including actress Julie Hesmondhalgh from Coronation Street—say there was no explosion but rather a loud bang, which created a stampede and people were injured trying to get out of the facility," TMZ reported, adding, "It's unclear if the injuries are from the stampede or from a blast."
"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 possible," the police reported in a statement.
Across social media, the hashtag #RoomForManchester was launched to help people who were in need of places to stay for the night following the incident.
Story developing...