Suspected terrorist attack occurs at Ariana Grande concert

Grande had just finished her concert when two explosions happened

Nineteen people are confirmed dead and 50 others injured at what Manchester, England Police state is a “terrorist incident until police know otherwise” during an Ariana Grande concert. Two explosions, described as nail bombs, rocked the Manchester Arena Monday night (May 22nd) as the concert ended. The bomber was reportedly waiting near an exit area as people were leaving the building.

According to CNN, Manchester Police posted an emergency message on their Facebook page. “Emergency services are currently responding to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena. There are a number of confirmed fatalities and others injured. Please AVOID the area as first responders work tirelessly at the scene,” they state.

Grande was reportedly not injured as she had left the stage prior to the incident. The concert was the first of three planned UK concerts by the pop star on her European and Latin American tour. TMZ reports that the singer has “indefinitely suspended” her world tour in wake of the bombings. Sources tell the publication that Grande will no longer perform in London on Thursday (May 25th). She was due to perform in England, Belgium, Poland, Germany and Switzerland.

Grande tweeted earlier tonight, “broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words.”

Grande isn’t the first artist to have a terrorist attack happen at a concert. In November 2015, The Eagles of Death Metal barely escaped the stage as an armed gunman took 100 patrons hostage during a show in Paris, France. This was one of several terrorist attacks throughout the city during that time. U2 was scheduled to play the same night not far from the venue. Both concerts were canceled with U2 rescheduling and inviting the Eagles of Death Metal members to join them when they returned.

Our thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families in Manchester.

Katy Perry is among the celebrities expressing their concern on social media. She wrote, “Praying for everyone at ‘s show” on Twitter about an hour after the news broke.

https://twitter.com/MarenMorris/status/866798730183417856

https://twitter.com/taylorswift13/status/866824457050099712

https://twitter.com/lorde/status/866822912673628162

https://twitter.com/kimberlyperry/status/866822761737580544

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com