hello. this is bbc news. our breaking news this our: —— hour. the moment an explosion at eight pop concert in manchester in which bell —— took place. witnesses reported hearing a blast at the end of the ariana grande concert. dozens have been injured. the explosion was behind us. everyone who was seven foot, at 15 foot behind us, was injured. as i said before... the prime minister condemns it as an appalling terrorist attack. the government is working with senior counterterrorism officers and police. we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we have further information. we are working closely with national

counterterrorism policing networks, and uk intelligence partners. hello and thank you forjoining us here on bbc news. police say at least 19 people have been killed, with 50 other injured, at an explosion at the manchester arena in the north—west of england. they are treating it as a terrorist incident. witnesses reported hearing a loud bang at the end of the ariana grande concert. witnesses described nuts and bolts strewn on the floor, and the spell of exposes. —— smell. theresa may has had her thoughts are with victims and their families. she described it as an appalling

terrorist attack. there has been an emergency meeting called at 9am local time. so in about three hours, 3-4 local time. so in about three hours, 3—4 hours from now. ed thomas is close to the scene of the incident in manchester. he joins us from their live. just bring us up to date with the latest, there. the sun is rising now over manchester. this is what people in the city are waking up what people in the city are waking up to. cordons around the north end of this city. that is stopping people getting towards the train station. further over there, to my right, there is the arena. that is all cordoned off. you cannot get in or out of there. investigators are trying to piece together what happened here. what we do know is that 19 people have died, lost their lives, with 59 injured. and many more affected and cannot forget what they saw inside the arena. we can now speak to stephanie

and your daughter, kennedy. thank you forjoining us. you are big fans of ariana grande. you were in there when the explosion happened. as comely is again, can you take us through what you heard? -- calmly. towards the last song, she let down a lot of large helium balloons. and a lot of large helium balloons. and a bang happened. we looked at each other, and we thought no, it cannot be something that you see on the news all the time. that does not happen to people like us. we thought it wasjust a happen to people like us. we thought it was just a blur. everybody sort of calm and around us, and then everybody started screaming and running in every direction. there was one girl, diagonal, was in there? she tumbled over the seats. over about three seeds, she went with such force. and then we made out with such force. and then we made our way out, people lost shoes,

phones... —— seats. our way out, people lost shoes, phones... -- seats. we got back to the top of the staircase, and we had asked a steward where we should go, where we should go. he did not know where we should go. he did not know where to send us. we got up and turned, and then we were running towards the... the foyer? yes. we thought there was a shooter. yes, that was my first thought. it did not sound loud enough to be what we suspected it to be. everybody was going in all directions. so we thought we were not there to go with all of them, because if there was a shooter, that is where they would go. so we hid under a shooter, that is where they would go. so we hid undera bridge. shooter, that is where they would go. so we hid under a bridge. that is the bridge near the arena? yes, and we were very scared. we didn't

know it was they. went to the hotel behind us, and they were serving tea and coffee and bring it out to the ambulances and police that were around here. and then somebody came in and offered us a lift home. i did not know who the person was, so i was not there to get indycar. i probably would have done yesterday. but i certainly was not there to do it after this experience. the most frightening experience of my life. total chaos. and as soon as we came out, the police and ambulances were all there. they did an amazing job. so quickly. take your hat off to them. they were there before it happened. fought so many -- there we re happened. fought so many -- there were so many happened. fought so many -- there were so many other competent children in the hotel behind you... somebody came in a while ago and askedif somebody came in a while ago and asked if we needed anyone. there we re young asked if we needed anyone. there were young children in their... they we re were young children in their... they were all with... another hotel had

children there. but i don't know how true that was. —— there. children there. but i don't know how true that was. -- there. there were young girls up and down here, not knowing where their mothers were, on their phones, their batteries dying. it was awful. there was a young girl running towards us, hyperventilating. there running towards us, hyperve ntilating. there was running towards us, hyperventilating. there was her, that she found her mother. adding anything to be done to counter. it was horrific. this is a place that would have been full of children. —— i don't think that anything could have been done to calm her. yes, young girls, boys, all about my age, down to 13. this is the full-time into the arena this month. why this

time? when you go to a big place, it is always in your mind. that is sad. but you never expect it to be something that you then had to walk away with. now, how do people go on? people that live in manchester, we don't. it is so scary. i have loads of friends they go to uni here. it is terrifying. what we have seen our taxi drivers coming from liverpool to pick people up and take them home. we have seen people who live in the city centre, giving water bottles out to people. there was one man with a ten and 12—year—old daughters. he was completely panicked, he did not know what was going on. he was on the phone, asking where he was, he didn't know what was going on. a man came up and said he was not a taxi driver car that he would take him home, to safety. it is amazing what people do when they come together. it is just

such a shame there are people like that. i don't hit home yet. ciders wa nt that. i don't hit home yet. ciders want to get out of manchester, really. and you are from black and ball —— blackpool. do you have any words for the security services here? yes, amazing. they were there before we even came out. who did you see? riot police, the armed... they we re see? riot police, the armed... they were incredible. they don't know what they were running into. stephanie, kennedy, iam what they were running into. stephanie, kennedy, i am sorry for what you have been through. i hope you get home again. the voices of a mother and daughter, there. like many we have spoken to, they are not from manchester. they present their response here, but they want to get out. they want to get back to loved ones. right now, there is an

investigation going on. please try to piece together the evidence to find out what happened, here. ed thomas, think it very much. as you have said, they tried to piece together any evidence they can get their hands on. —— they are trying to. one recording captured the moment when the fans heard the explosion. my guide! 0h oh my god! screaming. we have heard from three me in the last few minutes, issuing a statement saying... —— theresa may in d. she goes on to say...

jeremy corbyn had this to say... —— theresa may in the. nicola sturgeon has announced that the snp will suspend their campaigning and they are also suspending the launch of their manifesto as a result of the events in manchester. if this is confirmed as a terrorist attack, it would make it the worst such attacks since the london bombings in 2005, when more than 50 people died. greater manchester police gave this statement. i can confirm the details of last night's incident as we currently know them. at around 10:33pm, we received reports of an explosion at manchester arena, in the city centre. this was at the conclusion of the ariana grande concert. currently, we have 19 people confirmed to have lost their lives

in the explosion, and around 50 casualties that are being treated at six hospitals across greater manchester. my thoughts are very much with those that have been injured and lost their lives, and their loved ones, at this terrible time. we are doing all that we can to support them. officers from greater manchester police and emergency services are working at the scene, and are supporting those affected. we are automating the operation here at greater manchester police headquarters. an emergency number is available for all those concerned about their loved ones, or anyone who may have been in the area. the number is 0161856 91100. we are currently treating this as a terrorist incident, until we have further information. we are working closely with national

counterterrorism policing network and uk intelligence partners. this is clearly a very concerning time for everyone. we are doing all that we can, working with local and national agencies, to support those affected, as we gather information about what happened last night. as you will understand, we are still receiving information and updates, so we will provide further detail when we have a clearer picture. i want to thank people for their support, and ask them to remain vigilant, and if they have any concerns at all, to report them to the national anti—terrorist hotline. the number is 0800 789 321. it is important also that people here in manchester avoid the area around manchester arena, so that emergency services can continue to effectively deal with the incident at that location. thank you very much. that is the chief comfortable of the

greater manchester police there with some details and import numbers. of course, there are still scores of people trying to check out where their loved ones are. so let me give you the police emergency number once again. it is 0161856 9400. you the police emergency number once again. it is 0161856 91100. sarah corkeris again. it is 0161856 91100. sarah corker is putting together all the strands of what we know so far. so interesting, ian hopkins did not have much to say, other than loud the reality that this appears to be a terrorist incident. that is the challenge of the moment, isn't it? piece together what areas. yes, well it is nearly seven hours since the first reports came in. —— piecing

together what there is. there is now a huge counterterrorism operation going on. we saw the images from manchester from ed thomas, going on. we saw the images from manchesterfrom ed thomas, and going on. we saw the images from manchester from ed thomas, and the area is still cordoned off. emergency services are still at the scene, and a message from the police is to avoid the area, because they will be trying to gather evidence, piece together exactly what did happenjust after 1030 piece together exactly what did happen just after 1030 last night. the picture is emergent of those caught up in the incident. we know that panic stricken people on the scene with shrapnel like injuries. witnesses said they saw nuts and bolts in the foyer area. there are crush injuries, too, so perhaps caught up in the big rush to get out when they knew something was wrong. we know of people with cuts,

bruises, and broken bones. the shocking thing, what many people will be asking this morning, is why anybody would want to target this audience at this event? many of the thousands in the arena last night we re thousands in the arena last night were teenagers. young girls. some at their first concert. some with pa rents, their first concert. some with parents, going to see a pop idol. who would want to specifically target them in this kind of attack? we have also seen on social media some parents still looking for their children, and they are using social media as a way to get that appeal out. —— pop idol. because they had not heard from them since last night. we are going to hear from one of the mothers deftly anxious in just a moment. and you make the point about when this happened as well. it was over. —— deeply anxious. that must be in a sense the

lowest point of alertness, i suppose, in terms of anything that is, as people are going home, to the star, as well? yes, because of course, when you go into a gig, you go through security checks. there is a lot of focus then. people get searched on the way in. that is a protocol in this day and age. what a concert finishes, the focus is very much on getting people out quickly, as they don't want bottlenecks, or people getting crushed or enclosed in spaces. let's get them out. and thatis in spaces. let's get them out. and that is perhaps that is good to in a week as there? nobody is being checked on the way in, could that have been the moment when this device, whatever was, we are not sure yet, was put there, and potentially detonated? is also important to point out it is the foyer area , important to point out it is the foyer area, which is where people come out, and also congregate to buy merchandise. so people would be hanging around and gathering in that area. it is always dangerous to

speculate, so let's focus on what we do know. we have heard from some people at the concert, saying what an extra ordinary job people at the concert, saying what an extra ordinaryjob was done by the emergency services. we have the pictures of these convoys of ambulances, in delicate shot, and police on the ground almost instantaneously? absolutely. edward lee has praised the emergency services who have worked through the night ina services who have worked through the night in a very difficult situation. we have heard from northwest ambulance service on social media. they said they sent 60 ambulances to the scene. and they urge people, because of the volume of those injured, you know, only call 999 if it is an emergency. they were that overwhelm. the number of injured has gone up overwhelm. the number of injured has gone up as overwhelm. the number of injured has gone up as the night has gone on. it is now at least 60. we have had confirmation by greater manchester police that 19 people have died in this incident, which they are treating as a terrorist incident.

and just on that, before we focus on events and just on that, before we focus on eve nts o n and just on that, before we focus on events on the ground again, what is the situation with regards to the government? there is to be an emergency meeting in about 2—3 hours time. in manchester, firstly, there are armed police on the streets. people collecting evidence. we have seen over people collecting evidence. we have seen over the night sniffer dogs, as well. a bomb disposal team. it has been full on there throughout the night. people on the ground piecing together what happened. meanwhile, in london, there have been top security officials gathering. we heard that last night. but the big meeting is at 9am, where theresa may well chaired this emergency meeting where they will look to the response, but also to check where they are with the investigation, so far, and what happens next. sarah corker thank you for joining far, and what happens next. sarah corker thank you forjoining us. just remind you, 19 people have been

killed in this incident. countless others are still unaccounted for in one way or another. cha rlotte's charlotte's daughter, olivia, was at the concert and she has not been able to make contact. they have no idea at this stage where their daughter readers. she was going to go down to victoria station. and be picked up and she was with a group orjust one picked up and she was with a group or just one friend. picked up and she was with a group orjust one friend. i presume you have not been able to speak to the friend either. olivia has not been found but her friend has. i appreciate you using twitter to get the word out. you're presumably

trying to do the same sorts of calls ? trying to do the same sorts of calls? i have phoned every hospital, i phoned the police because she is not registered in any hospital. that leaves you in the desperately uncomfortable position. i presume you have been in touch with them. she would have her phone. i guess she would try that. social media has been such a help. there are so many people out there looking for her. people i don't even know. they are contacted me, saying they are going out. it was adam's birthday treat and she

has been poorly for a while and he thought it would cheer her up, she has not had much of a socialite because she has been so poorly. obviously, your state of mind, i can't really imagine. you must be extremely anxious. you need, i suppose, to have a game plan. how did he off the various points you might imagine she would go to. are people going around to the hospitals? herfather people going around to the hospitals? her father has people going around to the hospitals? herfather has been put ina pub hospitals? herfather has been put in a pub in manchester told to wait for any more news. i am at home waiting for news in case she turns up waiting for news in case she turns up at home. the picture there was of

olivia campbell and her mum, charlotte campbell, talking to us about the problems she is having a trucking down. some of those people who are caught in the mix reported nuts and bolts strewn around the floor and the smell of explosives, one man saying he was thrown several metres. when he was thrown several metres. when he got up, he saw a number of people sprawled on the floor. gary walker and his wife from leeds were injured in the explosion while waiting to pick up his daughters. gary walker there. a little earlier ariana grande herself has taken to twitter: that response from the performer

herself. we are getting a response from politicians, the prime minister and further afield. in the last couple of hours, the statement put out by prime minister theresa may is here. we are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police is an appalling terrorist attack. all our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected. we also heard from the mayor of manchester, recently elected. he said, my heart goes out to families have lost loved ones. my admiration for a brave emergency services, a terrible night ferocity. a lot of people have had a lot of praise for the emergency services, whether it's the ambulance crews or the paramedics on the ground, the police officers, all of whom it appears responsive —— responded extremely quickly. also emerging as

a bit ofa extremely quickly. also emerging as a bit of a sense of defiance. we heard from from the mayor that this isa heard from from the mayor that this is a strong, proud city, we will not be defeated by terrorism and that is really reflected from normal mancunians, people living in the cities, taxi drivers turned off their metres. they said they would give anyone a lift home. people said, stay in our rooms if you need to because one of them major railway stations has been closed. a show of defiance in manchester in a very difficult time and a difficult night. realistically, also, this is a very big and terrible incident. this is not just a very big and terrible incident. this is notjust a keep calm and carry on world. that is reflected politically. we are in the midst of an election campaign. most parties seem an election campaign. most parties seem pretty clear as to what the

decision is. in the city, people are saying, let's keep it together. on the national stage, we are in an election period. we heard from the snp, they are suspending their launch today. tim farrar has cancelled a trip to gibraltar because for many, it is difficult to because for many, it is difficult to be electioneering on the political stage when there has been such a difficult evening. that has all been put on hold for now and we are expecting to hear a lot more from politicians as the nation wakes up. 9am asa politicians as the nation wakes up. 9am as a key time to look out for. they will be holding its emergency meeting with top security officials to look at the response to this attack. just a reminder if you are

joining us, we are covering the developments after that attack, suspected arid —— terrorist attack at manchester arena. 19 people were killed, almost 60 injured when an explosion happened in the foyer of the arena shortly after the end of a concert by ariana grande. let us bring you some of the latest lines we are seeing, the dish transport police saying there will be extra officers on tuesday. the arena is close to a major station, victoria station, with no trains to or from their on tuesday as we are hearing, their on tuesday as we are hearing, the major parties have suspended election campaigns is a mark of respect. josh elliot was at the venue when the explosion happened. she's saying she's just finished

the last song, we'll be on the way out. and literally minutes later, i heard a big explosion, and ijust saw my partner and my daughter running towards me. everyone was charging towards the doors. there was a little girl standing next to us. i told everyone to get down. they got down on the floor. everyone was just running out as fast as they can. a couple of people covered in blood. the reason why a lot of people were panicking is because everybody ran out to blast that was just like, people getting hit on walls and stuff like that but i've never been in a situation like that ever in my life. i know a lot of people think they

can no what it's like, it is the most terrifying thing that can happen to a person, i will never forget it. that was just happen to a person, i will never forget it. that wasjust one of happen to a person, i will never forget it. that was just one of the eyewitness accounts from the event. we heard from manchester police earlier. they have said an anti— terror investigation is under way and they have released a phone number the public. this is separate to the emergency number for people who are hunting their loved ones, people who are still missing. this is the hotlines are people who may have been at the concert. if they have been at the concert. if they have seen something suspicious in the lead—up to this. this is the national anti—terrorist hotline. a short while ago, we spoke

to him run who is outside the concert. i was just waiting outside on the old bridge street. i got there at about 10:20pm, maybe. i text my partner at about 10:28pm, saying — telling her where i was, and she's saying she's just finished