Manchester Arena Incident (22/05/2017)

[Henbury Loop]

BBC sources are quoting people hearing a loud explosion near Manchester arena and railway lines being blocked?

 

[Qwerty133]

Reports of an explosion at the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena are floating around social media.
Greater Manchester police have confirmed that there is a 'serious incident' according to the BBC News Channel.
The cause of the bang is yet to be confirmed, and a number of fake 'photos' of the incident showing mass fatalities are being shared on Twitter.
Manchester Victoria station is currently closed and Metrolink is also suffering severe disruption.

 

[221129]

https://twitter.com/gmpolice/status/866786909544230912/photo/1

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.

Seems to have been fatalities.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Manchester Victoria has been evacuated and the area sealed off after an explosion occurred in the arena above during the Ariana Grande concert. Fatalities have been reported and police are warning people to stay away from the area.

News is still breaking but all services in and out of MCV are suspended or diverted into Manchester Oxford Road

 

[Jonny]

BBC News website reporting "deaths confirmed" http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-40007886

Police have confirmed a "number of fatalities" following reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena.
Witnesses reported hearing a "huge bang" following an Ariana Grande gig at Manchester Arena.
Network Rail said train lines out of Manchester Victoria station, which is close to the concert venue, were blocked.

backup/snapshot https://archive.is/Gj1OQ

 

[gimmea50anyday]

I really hope not. I took a train full of kids/teens and their parents to this gig from Liverpool, was talking to them and had wished them well when they left the train. Im devastated..

 

[Saint66]

Very confusing picture at the moment, lots of speculation but still too early to tell what could have caused the incident. Thoughts with all those involved.

 

[cuccir]

Eyewitness on BBC News at around ten to midnight describing being knocked over by blast and seeing 20-30 bodies on floor severely injured or dead, including many children

 

[All Line Rover]

BBC News presenters seemed puzzled by the fact that there could be trouble at Victoria station, even though the arena is on top of the station itself. Surprised they can't obtain simple facts for the benefit of concerned relatives for at least an hour.

 

[Qwerty133]

BBC News presenters seemed puzzled by the fact that there could be trouble at Victoria station, even though the arena is on top of the station itself. Surprised they can't obtain simple facts for the benefit of concerned relatives for at least an hour.

The BBC Presenter concerned is a Man City fan so must be at least some knowledge of Manchester.

 

[MCR247]

So sad, there must be so many worried parents out there at the moment

 

[Eric]

My son and his girlfriend were at the concert. Thankfully both are ok, but my thoughts are with those that have been killed.

 

[All Line Rover]

The GM Police website is down. I'm surprised they use Twitter to convey information, as this enhances the possibility of people being fooled by fake accounts.

 

[Saint66]

It's looking very bad situation. The bomb squad have arrived, armed police are on the ground and the local NHS ambulance and hospital trusts are asking for people in Manchester to only call in genuine life threatening emergencies due to stretching of resources.

 

[Saint66]

The GM Police website is down. I'm surprised they use Twitter to convey information, as this enhances the possibility of people being fooled by fake accounts.

Quickest way to reach the most people, and is widely used by most forces now. Met Police's use of twitter for updates during the Westminster attack demonstrated it's importance.

Also provides back-up for if their website goes down, as in this case.

 

[All Line Rover]

Quickest way to reach the most people, and is widely used by most forces now. Met Police's use of twitter for updates during the Westminster attack demonstrated it's importance.

Also provides back-up for if their website goes down, as in this case.

Good for redundancy, yes. I hope BBC News stays with the incident - not transferring to Singapore.

 

[185143]

BBC Radio Manchester just reported that the North West Counter-Terrorism unit are treating the incident 'as a possible terrorist incident'

 

[Saint66]

BBC Radio Manchester just reported that the North West Counter-Terrorism unit are treating the incident 'as a possible terrorist incident'

Indeed, reported by several journalists now.

 

[185]

Photo doing the rounds amongst staff of many casualties on the floor. Assume it's already been stated but it's outside the arena prior to any security, at their box office, where McDonalds used to be, literally above plat 3 at Vic.

 

[jonathan01n]

I hope the ones killed may Rest in Peace and the injured can have a speedy recovery.
However I am worried, are there not security checks in this kind of event? I am worried if next time someone plant a bomb or having an attack in a sporting event, what should I do?

 

[Saint66]

GMP: 19 dead currently, 50 injured.

Being treated as terror related until known otherwise.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

TPE confirm MCV to remain closed Tuesday 23rd May with all services to run via MAN vice MCV

 

[Qwerty133]

Islamic state have claimed responsibility according to some members of the alt right media. Please take these reports with a pinch of salt unless and until more mainstream media begin to report the same.

 

[Qwerty133]

GMP statement at 2am according to Ed Thomas on the BBC, also reports of a second suspicious device.
Ed also adding that he has heard many conflicting reports and is finding it difficult to separate fact with fiction
EDIT: suspected terrorist attack- BBC quoting Greater Manchester Police

 

[96tommy]

Suspect device found in Cathedral Gardens

 

[Saint66]

A controlled explosion on a suspect device has taken place.

 

[Qwerty133]

A controlled explosion on a suspect device has taken place.

'suspect device' was abandoned clothing rather than anything dangerous- GMP

 

[bnm]

Targeting children?

Scum. Sub-human filth.

 

[LeylandLen]

TPE confirm MCV to remain closed Tuesday 23rd May with all services to run via MAN vice MCV

No doubt it is a Live crime scene so assume the Arena, Man Vic station, and surrounding area will be closed for some time. Obviously there could be structural damage to be repaired IF it is a bomb, and the buildings made safe for public use.

 

[weastebusdepot]

I hope the ones killed may Rest in Peace and the injured can have a speedy recovery.
However I am worried, are there not security checks in this kind of event? I am worried if next time someone plant a bomb or having an attack in a sporting event, what should I do?

There are security checks for people entering the arena, but this appears to have been carried out by someone just outside of the security check area which anyone has access to.