Manchester Arena Attack: What We Know So far

A suspected terror attack hit a pop concert in Manchester on Monday evening, with many dead and dozens injured. Here is what we know so far:

• Police have confirmed that at least 19 people were killed in an explosion at an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena. 
• Police say the explosion is being “treated as a terrorist incident until we have further information”.
• Officers said that a further 50 people were injured amid reports of at least one explosion that hit the venue as the concert was finishing.
• The blast was reported to have hit the foyer of the building at about 10:30pm, British Transport police said. Police say they received a call about the incident at 10.33.
• Manchester Arena said the incident took place “outside the venue in a public space”.
• Multiple witnesses said they heard an explosion, with one telling the Guardian the blast shook the whole building, before “everyone screamed and tried to get out”.
• Victims have been taken to six hospitals across the Manchester area.
• Large areas around the arena have been sealed off and Victoria Station has been closed and is expected to be closed throughout Tuesday.
• Greater Manchester Police have carried out a “controlled explosion’’ in the Cathedral Gardens area but the item destroyed was not suspicious.
• Prime Minister Theresa May has said her thoughts are with the victims and 
  families of those affected in “what is being treated by the police as an 
  appalling terrorist attack”.
• A meeting of the Cobra government emergency committee will meet at 9am Tuesday.
• Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron have expressed their sympathies for the victims.
• Around 21,000 people are reported to have been at the concert at the time of the explosion.