TwitterGreater Manchester Police have confirmed they carried out a controlled explosion after a second suspected device was found to be an abandoned item of clothing.
Officers carrying out a precautionary controlled explosion in Cathedral Garden confirm that it was abandoned clothing, not a suspicious item
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
The controlled explosion was allegedly carried out just after 01:30am, according to numerous eyewitnesses.
RT @barneythejourno: controlled explosion heard near side of Manchester Victoria near the cathedral #Manchester
— (((silner))) (@silner) May 23, 2017
That controlled explosion sounded loud af ? on BBC news
— Sarah ツ (@lil_skyscraper_) May 23, 2017
In Manchester city centre where officers have told us to stand against the wall as a controlled explosion is about to be carried out pic.twitter.com/5WLde8xobB
— Eleanor Barlow (@EleanorBarlow) May 23, 2017
Police urged anyone who hears the explosion not to panic.
There will be a controlled explosion in Cathedral gardens shortly if you hearing anything don't be concerned.
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
In case you didn’t know – in the past hour Greater Manchester Police confirmed the news that many were dreading: 19 victims confirmed dead after what is being treated as a ‘possible terrorist incident’ at an Ariana Grande concert.
As of yet the cause of the deaths remains unknown however what is certain is that the incident occurred as Ariana Grande fans began to leave the venue after the concert had ended.
UNILAD are currently live at the scene of this evening’s tragic events:
We’re live in Manchester following the explosion at the Arena
Posted by UNILAD on Monday, 22 May 2017
Greater Manchester Police released this update in the past hour:
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/BEpLOan3dY
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, UNILAD spoke to a number of fans who were there at the time of the reported explosion.
Sebastian Diaz, 19, said:
Just finished and about to leave into the foyer and there was a massive bang, people stood still and panicked. We were going to go back but we got trapped and sprinted out. People didn’t know where to go and loads of young girls were crying.
LATEST: This dashcam video shows glow from explosion at #Manchester Arena.
Far left-6 seconds
pic.twitter.com/eaPCdXPYSt— A.D. WHITMAN (@AD_WHITMAN) May 22, 2017
Can't even imagine what the people of Manchester must be going through, heart breaking?? pic.twitter.com/YPXoMHbKF6
— Bradeleh (@BradleyRaeLol) May 22, 2017
BREAKING: Manchester explosion being treated by British authorities as possible terrorist attack
— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) May 22, 2017
Adam McKay, 25, described the chaos that followed the loud bang:
There were people covered in blood.
There was a little girl by herself and I helped find her parents. Really bad sights. Just didn’t expect it.
At the minute there are hundreds of police in the area including bomb disposal units.
Our thoughts go out to all those injured and killed in this terrible incident.
More to follow
