At least 22 people, including children, have been killed in a blast at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, in the deadliest terror attack on British soil since the 2005 London bombings.
Police said they believe a man carrying explosives acted as a lone attacker and died in the powerful explosion that shook part of the cavernous Manchester Arena as concertgoers streamed out after the American pop star's last song. Another 23-year-old man has been arrested in south Manchester in connection to the bombing, police said.
British Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the attack as "callous" and "cowardly."
Latest developments
- 59 people injured, some in life-threatening situations.
- US President Donald Trump slams attackers as 'losers'.
- Prime Minister to visit Manchester later Tuesday.
- Ariana Grande tweets that the incident has left her 'broken'.
- British party leaders suspend general election campaigning.
- Emergency phone line set up: +44 (0)161 856 9400.
Speaking after an emergency Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister said police had identified the suspected attacker, though she did not reveal his name.
"It is now beyond doubt that the people of Manchester and of this country have fallen victim to a callous terrorist attack. An attack that targeted some of the youngest people in our society with cold calculation," she said.
"We struggle to comprehend the warped and twisted mind that sees a room packed with young children not a scene to cherish but as an opportunity for carnage."
Images from the scene show people running in a panic down stairs to escape the 21,000-seat arena amid the relentless screams of frightened children and young teenagers. Some parents say their children are still missing.
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said that police were investigating whether the attacker was part of a larger network or plot.
Grande, who had just finished the first of three scheduled UK performances, tweeted about her devastation several hours later: "broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words."
Britain has been under a "severe" terror threat alert for three years and there has been an uptick in terror-related arrests in recent months.
Police have been warning that another attack was highly likely after a man plowed his car into a crowd on London's Westminister Bridge in March and stabbed a policeman, in an attack that left six dead.
Monday's bomb attack has raised concerns that a more sophisticated network may exist in the country than previously thought.