Last night’s (May 22) Manchester stop on Ariana Grande’s Dangerous Woman Tour was abruptly ended by an explosion from a suicide bomber. At the time of publishing, 22 people have been confirmed dead, with 59 people injured and even more missing.
ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Grande, while not physically injured, called herself “broken” on Twitter. “From the bottom of my heart,” she wrote, “I am so so sorry. I don’t have words.” According to CNN, Grande has since suspended her tour, which was supposed to have two more shows in the UK, as well as shows in Belgium, Poland, German, and Switzerland.
broken.
from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words.— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017
Reports claim that children were amongst the 22 people confirmed dead, although sources do not yet know how many. While the bomber, who used an “improvised explosive device”, died at the scene, Manchester police have reported that they arrested a 23-year-old man in connection to the attack.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has since denounced the attack, calling it calling it “cowardly” and “sickening”. Read a full transcript of May’s speech here. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles have also issued statements of condolence.
President Trump has also responded to the attacks, extending condolences and calling the perpetrators “losers.”
“I will call them from now on losers, because that’s what they are. They’re losers. And we’ll have more of them. But they’re losers. Just remember that.”
In response to the bombing, extra police officers have been put on duty in London. The attack is being considered the worst to have ever happened in North England and the worst in the UK since the 2005 London bombings.
The Manchester city centre will hold be holding a vigil today (May 23) to remember those who passed. A crowdfunding page to support the family of the dead and the injured has already been created and has raised over £20,000 in less than two hours.
