UPDATE 1:00 pm 23/5/17

The death toll following the Manchester Arena blast has risen to 22, with 59 people being injured.

Ian Hopkins, Chief constable of Manchester police says that they have been treating this as a terrorist incident and that they believe the attack was the work of a single suicide bomber.

Hopkins confirms that the attacker died at the arena. He goes on to say that their priority now is to find out whether he was acting alone or as part of a network.

After the bomb attack in Manchester, campaigning has been suspended for Britain’s upcoming election. World leaders, including Angela Merkel and Australian PM Turnbull, have joined their British counterparts in condemning the attack.

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Nineteen people have been killed and about 50 injured in a suspected terror attack at Manchester Arena.

Police were called to reports of an explosion at the venue at about 22:35 BST following a pop concert by the US singer Ariana Grande.

The cause of the blast is unknown but the counter terrorism experts are treating it as a possible terrorist incident.

Greater Manchester Police is working to set up a contact number for relatives.

Officers have told the BBC there is a second suspect device near where the first explosion occurred.

Reporters were moved away from the scene and were told a controlled explosion was imminent.

BBC Home Affairs Correspondent Daniel Sandford said senior counter-terrorism officers are assembling in London and are liaising with the Home Office.

British Transport Police say explosion was in the foyer area of Manchester Arena.

Manchester Victoria station, which is close to the concert venue, has been closed and all trains cancelled.

– BBC

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