Ariana Grande concert in Manchester - possible terrorist ?

[SHARPIE]

Deaths confirmed after Manchester Arena blast reports
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-40007886


Awful.

 

[Sylvia]

Following the Ariana Grande concert : http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-40007886
Police have confirmed a "number of fatalities" following reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena.

(ETA: Sorry, duplicate thread - please delete or merge.)

 

[antmanb]

Just checking in to say I'm ok. I was just falling asleep when my phone started buzzing every few seconds with worried friends and family.

I can hear loads of sirens and I'm not anywhere near the arena.

The reports sound horrendous.

 

[judiz]

I heard source of explosion was from the sound system

 

[Buzz]

How awful! Thanks @antmanb for letting us know you are ok! My thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families.

 

[allezfred]

How awful for the victims and their families. Until anything is confirmed I am hoping it was an accident because the idea that someone would do this deliberately is too horrifying to think about.

 

[kittyjake5]

Oh no how awful.

 

[AxelAnnie]

I sure hope this was an accident, and it sounds like it might have been. The alternatives are pretty spooky.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

If it was a terrorist attack, apparently there was no security in place (ie: pat downs and bag checks) prior to the show.

When I visited London and Paris after Worlds in Helsinki, I never felt safe once.

 

[Kruss]

Seeing numerous tweets of people offering their home, a bed, a cup of tea, internet and phones for anyone in the area who can't get home. Cabbies giving free rides, and a woman gathered about 50+ kids at a Holiday Inn until their parents can come get them.

Love always wins.

 

[Kecasyl]

Praying for everyone.

 

[Sylvia]

First report on casualties: 19 dead, 50+ injured.

ETA: https://twitter.com/gmpolice/status/866808564316344321
"This is currently being treated as a terrorist incident until police know otherwise."

 

[BlueRidge]

First news report on casualties: 19 dead, 55 injured.

oh no that is so horrible.

 

[quartz]

Awful news. ((((Manchester)))))

 

[Frau Muller]

Prayers for Manchester!

It appears to have been an accident with the equipment, as per Fox News. That doesn't make it any less horrible. Nineteen dead, among the casualties. Very sad

 

[Kruss]

That's not what Fox News is saying, I've been watching for an hour and that's not what they're saying. They're reporting what others are reporting.

 

[Cachoo]

The death of babes---I can't imagine anyone very old at this concert. How horrible.

 

[Kruss]

Second device was found, controlled detonation carried out to get rid of it.
ETA: This second detonation now reported to be a bag of clothing.

 

[Anemone]

Canadian news is reporting the explosion occurred near the box office.
Thoughts & sympathies to all the victims & their families.
Hopefully the police can catch the person(s) responsible for this reprehensible act.

 

[victoriajh]

Omg .... I agree about he security .... Musts have been non existent?? Throughts and prayers with the families ( she has such a young audience )
I'm headed to see Robbie willliams in Manchester ..... now I'm nervous

 

[Sylvia]

Updated: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-40007886

Unconfirmed reports from two unnamed US officials suggested the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.
British Transport Police say the explosion was in the foyer area of Manchester Arena.
The BBC's Tim Ashburner, who is at the scene, spoke to some volunteer paramedics who treated the injured for "shrapnel-like injuries".

 

[judiz]

Omg .... I agree about he security .... Musts have been non existent?? Throughts and prayers with the families ( she has such a young audience )
I'm headed to see Robbie willliams in Manchester ..... now I'm nervous

CNN interviewed someone who was at concert. The young man said bags were checked as people entered the arena. Explosion happened outside arena as people were leaving in area where there was a box office and entrance to rail system.

 

[victorskid]

The explosion is confirmed to have taken place in the entrance/concessions area, outside the arena proper. The timing was as people were trying to exit after the concert. CBC just had a Skype interview with a young woman who was in the stairwell just about to go down into the area where the explosion occurred when it happened

 

[once_upon]

If it was a terrorist attack, apparently there was no security in place (ie: pat downs and bag checks) prior to the show.

When I visited London and Paris after Worlds in Helsinki, I never felt safe once.

Omg .... I agree about he security .... Musts have been non existent?? Throughts and prayers with the families ( she has such a young audience )
I'm headed to see Robbie willliams in Manchester ..... now I'm nervous

We just came back from a month trip in Europe. I never felt UNSAFE. The "bag checks, the excessive attempt at scanning for anything" creates an image of security not real security. @antmanb I'm glad you are safe, thanks for checking in

The US makes too much attempt at looking secure. We are no more or less than secure as in other parts of Europe who do not make a big show of it.
It's ridiculous to run our lives on non existent measures of security.

It is a horrendous act. I am truly sorry for families and friends.

 

[FiveRinger]

I woke up to this news and was just horrified. No one deserves this, but the more I think about and realize that most of the people at this venue were probably young girls and their parents I am sickened. These children and young people didn't do anything to deserve this. My prayers are with the victims, their families and the country. Sadly, I find myself saying/typing these words way too often.

 

[LynnW]

Horrific. There are no words.
Thoughts and prayers for all the victims and their families.

 

[purple skates]

 

[Kasey]

This is so beyond f*cked up. This act targeted CHILDREN for crying out loud. That's the population expected at this concert. WTF is wrong with heartless animals?

 

[IceAlisa]

Death toll up to 22 now.

 

[Lorac]

This is horrendous. My heart goes out to all those affected. All theatres and arenas I have gone to here in the UK have pretty tight security checks but if these scum start targeting areas outside security what can you do .

ETA: If as is suspected a suicide vest was used in a public area where people.are milling around what are we supposed to do to stop it. I am heading to London tomorrow to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and I already know to turn up early for security checks. But when we all leave after the performance there isn't much one can do but join the crowds that are spilling out of your theatre and those located close by. If a suicide bomber decided to hit then as like in this situation there is nothing security checks could have done to stop it.