This is a developing story, Faithwire will update as new details become available.
*Update: 8:00am ET
*ISIS claims responsibility for the attack, although they provided no evidence to back the claim.
*Parents still searching for children who have not yet been accounted for, take to social media for help. Reuters reports on some of the desperate pleas:
“STILL MISSING: Saffie Rose Roussos, 8yrs old. Missing from Manchester attack,” Adam J. Brown posted on Facebook, next to a picture of her smiling face.
“White Ariana tshirt-denim skirt-black leggings-black boots.”
“Please…please retweet. Looking for my daughter and her friend,” Michael MacIntyre wrote on Twitter, alongside an image of his daughter Laura and friend Eilidh.
Some of the survivors were helped by strangers and separated in the chaos. Prayers for a miracle amidst the mayhem.
*Death toll rises to 22
*Update: 11pm ET
It’s hard to imagine what 23-year-old pop star Ariana Grande is feeling right now, after seeing her fans — many of which are children — go through the horrific events that took place tonight at the Manchester Arena.
She has just issued her first statement since the deadly blast that took place at the end of her concert.
broken.
from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words.— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017
At least 22 fatalities are confirmed after an incident at Manchester Arena in England where an explosion occurred as an Ariana Grande Concert was coming to a close. At least 59 more are reported injured. Police are currently describing this as a “possible terrorist incident until police know otherwise.”
UPDATE: MANCHESTER ATTACK: At least 19 dead, around 50 more injured at Ariana Grande concert https://t.co/V52kkvWHQW
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 23, 2017
CBS is reporting that many of the deceased are young girls.
large group of young girls are among the 19 dead following alleged terror attack at Ariana Grande concert in England. (CBS)
— The Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) May 23, 2017
While there is still a lot of unknown, here is what we do know:
Police have confirmed that there are multiple fatalities and injured.
BREAKING: Police say 19 people confirmed dead in Manchester Arena explosion.
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 23, 2017
The AP is reporting that, “Police advised the public to avoid the area around the Manchester Arena, and the train station near the arena, Victoria Station, was evacuated and all trains canceled.”
Moments after the explosion, emergency personal arrived at the scene.
Video shows the scene at England's Manchester Arena moments after reported explosions during Ariana Grande concert https://t.co/uIkSgHsDLG pic.twitter.com/P3H3bilOr5
— CNN (@CNN) May 22, 2017
Eyewitnesses are reporting that they felt the whole building shake when the explosion went off and the horrifying scene that followed. One female victim, who appeared to be quite young, describes what she saw on the scene, clearly and understandably distraught from what she just experienced?
"There was blood everywhere." A witness describes the scene after reports of explosions at concert in Manchester, UK https://t.co/H3DriCKjuG pic.twitter.com/YkYbTFMbzS
— CNN (@CNN) May 23, 2017
Fox News is reporting the explosion took place near the box office at a public space right outside of the arena as the concert was ending and attendees were on their way out of the arena and others were waiting to pick up loved ones. Many are describing the concert attendees as mostly kids, parents and teens.
The latest from police as of 8:30pm ET:
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/BEpLOan3dY
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
Faithwire will update this story as more details become available. Prayers for all involved in what appears to be another senseless tragedy.
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