At Least 22 are Dead After Suspected Bombing at an Ariana Grande Concert in Manchester

At least 22 people have been killed and 59 injured after a suspected terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

Thousands of concert-goers were packed into the venue to see singer Ariana Grande when the explosion shook the arena.

Multiple witnesses reported hearing "huge bangs" at the venue shortly after the concert was wrapping up at around 10:30 pm last night.

EXPLOSION AT MANCHESTER ARENA AND EVERYONE RAN OUT SO SCARY😭 pic.twitter.com/pJbUBoELtE

— ♡♡ (@hannawwh) May 22, 2017

The area around the arena was swamped with police and emergency services and approach roads were cordoned off.

Minutes later eyewitnesses described seeing people "running and screaming" from the arena, with some covered in blood.

Greater Manchester Police say that children are among the dead.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said it was believed that the attacker - who died at the scene - was carrying an improvised explosive device.

Swarms of armed police were joined by a bomb disposal unit as teams from across the region worked to secure the area and help the injured.

This has been the largest attack to hit Britain since 2005, where suicide bombers set off a series of bombings which targeted civilians using the city's public transportation system during rush hour. 56 people were killed including the four suspects. 

Sidenote- My prayers go out to all of the victims and their families. I couldn't imagine sending my loved one off anywhere, no less a concert and having them never to return again. My heart breaks for everyone involved. As an advent concert goer my outlook towards attending large events has definitely been shifted for the worst.