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Manchester Arena explosion: 19 killed in 'terror attack by suicide bomber'
Update at 1:20 p.m. EDT based on the Telegraph liveblog and everything y'all have added in the comment thread and additional articles here and here:
  • ISIS claimed it

  • Suicide bomber informally identified as Salman Abedi, age 22, a known wolf

  • 22 dead, 59 seriously injured, 13 still missing

  • Attack took place on 4th anniversary of the Fusilier Lee Rigby murder

  • Suicide bomb filled with nuts and bolts -- shrapnel explains severity of injuries

  • Abedi was not passed by security into venue, but positioned himself outside exit to train station, exploding as crowd exited

  • Second, controlled explosion at 1:34 a.m. local time was clothing, not a bomb

  • A 23 year old man was arrested today in South Manchester in connection with the attack

  • Abidi's home has been searched, and a controlled explosion done there by police

  • About Salman Abedi:
    * born in Manchester in 1994, the second or third of four children
    * parents Libyan refugees during the Khaddafy era
    * home is yards from girls high school from where twins Zahra and Salma Halane left for ISIS in Syria
    * unconfirmed reports Abedi's parents and sister recently decamped for Libya
The Telegraph's liveblog of events, and the place to add new reports throughout the day. Yesterday's post is here.
[TELEGRAPH.CO.UK]
  • At least 19 people confirmed dead, 50 more injured

  • Police state it is a suspected terror attack

  • Reports that suicide bomber behind the blast

  • Police warn people to stay away from area

  • Panic as concert-goers flee the arena
2:03am
Suicide bomber 'suspected to be behind attack'
Two US officials tell Reuters that a suicide bomber is suspected in the Manchester explosion.

1:34am
Controlled explosion carried out
Greater Manchester Police have carried out a "controlled explosion" in the Cathedral Gardens area near Manchester Arena.

1:31am
Reports of 'second device'

Police sources have told @bbc5live there's a second suspected device. Reporters have been moved 200m away:

"Controlled explosion in 3-4 mins"

1:14am
Death toll confirmed as 19 people
Police have confirmed that 19 people have been killed in the Manchester Arena attack. A further 50 people are injured.

1:07am
Reports: 'suicide bomber behind explosion'
Police have not confirmed the reports.

1:00am
'There was carnage everywhere'
A father has described seeing "carnage everywhere" in the wake of an explosion at Manchester Arena that left around 30 people, including children and disabled victims, lying on the floor.

The man, named Andy, said he was blown "about 30ft" by a blast that shook the building as he waited to collect his wife and daughter at the end of a concert by US artist Ariana Grande.

12:57am
Death toll 'in double figures'
The death toll is in double figures, officials reportedly state.

12:54am
Witness saw 20 to 30 people on ground
A witness, speaking to the BBC, saw 20 to 30 people on the ground following the explosion.

12:53am
Police state Manchester Arena explosion is 'possible terrorist incident'

North West Counter Terror Command are treating it as a "possible terrorist incident".

12:48am
Area in lockdown - armed police at scene

12:42am
Hundreds of offers of support from people and companies in the Manchester area

12:38am
Bomb disposal unit 'at the scene'
Sky News reported that a bomb disposal unit was at the scene.

12:32am
Explosion came from foyer of arena
British Transport Police confirmed the blast came from "within the foyer area of the stadium at 10.30pm this evening".

11:57pm
'It was a huge explosion'
"It was a huge explosion - you could feel it in your chest. It was chaotic. Everybody was running and screaming and just trying to get out of the area."

11:56pm
Police establishing 'casualty bureau'
Details of a casualty bureau for incident at Manchester Arena will be shared as soon as available. Please stay away from the area

11:48pm
'Disruption is expected to continue until end of the day'
Manchester's Victoria station, which backs onto the arena, has been evacuated and all trains cancelled. National Rail said in an online statement: "Emergency services are dealing with an incident at Manchester Arena. As Manchester Victoria is located near the arena, the station has been evacuated and all lines closed.

"Trains are currently unable to run to / from Manchester Victoria. Some trains will be cancelled throughout or start / terminate at alternative stations. Disruption is expected to continue until end of the day."

11:43pm
'I think what the injuries have come from is people trying to get out as quickly as possible'
Eyewitness Josh Elliot told the BBC he had seen a "guy covered in blood".

11:33pm
'Reports of blood and people injured'

11:23pm
Several ambulances attend the scene

11:22pm
Panic inside the arena


11:21pm
'Everyone was running away in big crowds'

"The bang was so big I heard it from my room which is at the back of the apartment blocks.

"Currently lots of emergency services going to and from. But can't see anything substantial as of yet except fleeing people and lots of cars."

11:21pm
'A huge bomb-like bang went off'

"Everyone was in a huge state of panic, calling each other as some had gone to the toilet whilst this had gone off, so it was just extremely disturbing for everyone there."

11:19pm
Trains not stopping at Victoria station
Trains are currently not stopping at Victoria station following the security scare.

11:13pm
Schoolchildren 'ushered into one common room'
Boarders at Chetham's Music School next to Victoria Station and very near the arena have reportedly been ushered into one common room amid reports of explosion.

10:58pm
There are some reports the explosion heard could have been part of the act at Manchester Arena
Ariana Grande was performing.

10:56pm
Emergency services rush to scene

10:48pm
Reports of 'massive explosion' in Manchester Arena
Posted by: Fred 2017-05-23
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=488623