Reports of an explosion and fatalities at Manchester Arena have now been confirmed by police.
People at a concert in the arena reported hearing an explosions at the venue, police have warned people to stay away from the area and have started to release details of the incident.
The arena is an indoor arena in Hunts Bank, Manchester just north of the city centre, most of the arena is situated above Manchester Victoria station. The arena has the highest seating capacity of any indoor venue in the United Kingdom, and second largest Europe with a capacity of 21,000 and is one of the world’s busiest indoor arenas, hosting music and sporting events such as boxing and swimming.
The arena was a key part of the city’s bids to host the Olympic Games in 1996 and 2000 and was eventually used for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Police statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/gaKASukx9a
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2017
EXPLOSION AT MANCHESTER ARENA AND EVERYONE RAN OUT SO SCARY?? pic.twitter.com/pJbUBoELtE
— ?? (@hannawwh) May 22, 2017
This story will be updated as information becomes available. Network Rail said train lines out of Manchester Victoria station were blocked.
#ManchesterVic Staff are on site with @BTP and emergency services. Lines are currently blocked. @nationalrailenq
— Network Rail (@networkrail) May 22, 2017
