ALERT: England – Explosion at Manchester Arena (May 23, 2017)

May 23, 2017

A suicide bomb exploded outside of the arena in Manchester, England, last night, killing at least 22 people and injuring nearly 60. ISIS is claiming responsibility for the deadliest attack in Britain since 2005.

The UK’s current terror threat level is unchanged. However, in response to the bombing, there will be an increased police presence London.

According to the BBC:

Twenty-two people have been killed and 59 injured in a suicide bombing at Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by US singer Ariana Grande.

A lone attacker set off a homemade bomb in the foyer at 22:33 BST on Monday, in what Theresa May called an “appalling, sickening” terrorist act.

Armed police have arrested a 23-year-old man in Chorlton, south Manchester, in connection with the attack.

It is the worst terrorist attack in the UK since the 7 July bombings in 2005 in which 52 people were killed by four suicide bombers. So-called Islamic State has said it was behind the attack, via IS channels on the messaging app Telegram.

The blast happened close to the entrance to Victoria railway and tram station. The station has been closed and all trains cancelled.

The Manchester Arena or MEN is the city’s largest indoor venue with a concert capacity of around 21,000.

Reuters is reporting:

Theresa May said police believed they knew the identity of the bomber and police then said a 23-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the attack carried out late on Monday evening as people began leaving a concert given by Ariana Grande, a U.S. singer who attracts a large number of young and teenage fans.

The northern English city remained on high alert.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said more police had been ordered onto the streets of the British capital.

A source with knowledge of the situation said the bomber’s explosives were packed with metal and bolts. At least 19 of those wounded were in a critical condition, the source said.

Britain is on its second-highest alert level of “severe”, meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely.

British counter-terrorism police have said they are making on average an arrest every day in connection with suspected terrorism.

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