As Ariana Grande's concert in Manchester Arena was coming to an end, more than two explosions were heard that shook the building. According to the first people who went to exit door, smoke was coming out from arena's main corridor. The Greater Manchester Police is treating the incident as a terrorist attack.
The G.M. police said there are more than 20 casualties, which include a large percentage of the victims being young girls. The authorities fear the number of casualties might increase as many bodies are still being recovered in the explosion site. Also, initial reports show around 50 people have been injured.
A report from CBS News said there were two explosions that contained nails. However, a 16-year boy who came from Lincoln said he and his two friends heard three explosions. At first, they thought it was a balloon, but they felt the vibrations and people start to panic. A 15-year old girl told The Guardian that there were people falling over the chairs trying to head to exit doors, and while they were running, they saw blood on the walls. Security guards tried to calm the people, saying it was a pooped balloon or technical difficulty.
It is estimated that there were more than 20,000 people inside the Manchester Arena on Monday night.
People outside the arena also heard the explosions. Elena Semina from Lancaster said she was waiting for her daughter at the arena's ticket office when the explosions went off. Elena has wounds on her legs and neck. She said there was this heat on her neck and when she looked up "there were bodies everywhere. "
The initial theory was that a suicide bomber was behind the explosions, which took place as fans were leaving the arena.
Here's what we know so far after the incident in Manchester Arena:
- At least 20 people have been killed
- Around 50 were injured
- One explosion occurred at Manchester Arena's main corridor at about 10:30 pm
- Police described the incident as "terror attack"
- Pop star Ariana Grande is okay
UK's Minister of State for Security, Ben Wallace, urged its citizens to be vigilant and report any anything suspicious around their area in the anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789123.
