British police say at least 19 people were killed and about 50 others injured in a blast outside an arena in the northern city of Manchester in what authorities are treating as a “terrorist incident.” Reports Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Witnesses on May 22 reported hearing a “massive explosion” around 2145 GMT as people were leaving the Manchester Arena, where U.S. pop singer Ariana Grande was performing.
“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,” Greater Manchester Police said in a tweet.
Reuters news agency reported that two U.S. officials said initial signs point to a suicide bomber, although UK authorities have not confirmed the information.
Police urged people to avoid the area and said bomb-disposal teams were on the scene.
“Please avoid the area as first responders work tirelessly at the scene,” the police said.
Video shown on Sky News showed hundreds of people fleeing from the arena as police and emergency vehicles arrived. Witnesses reported seeing helicopters above the arena after the incident.
Other videos posted on Twitter showed fans screaming and running inside the venue.
Robert Tempkin, 22, of Middlesbrough told the BBC: “Everyone was screaming and running, there were coats and people’s phones on the floor. People just dropped everything.”
Service at the Manchester Victoria train station, which is located under the arena, has been canceled, officials said.
“Emergency services are at the scene and we are working to establish more information regarding the explosion and will provide further updates as soon as possible,” the British Transport Police said.
A spokesman for Grande’s record label said the singer was “OK.”
If confirmed as terrorism, it would be the deadliest attack in the UK since four British Muslims killed 52 people in suicide bombings on London’s transport system in July 2005.
Manchester Arena, opened in 1995, is the largest indoor arena in Europe with a capacity of 21,000 people.
The UK is on its second-highest alert level of “severe,” meaning a terror attack is considered highly likely.
Britain is also in the midst of a general election campaign for its June 8 parliamentary vote.