Ariana Grande Manchester attack: the eyewitness accounts
At least 19 people are confirmed dead and about 59 injured after a suspected explosion at the end of the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.
Manchester residents have thrown their support behind the victims, offering their homes and businesses as safe havens where they can spend the night.
Dozens of children without a guardian or who were separated from their families during the evacuation, have been taken to the nearby Holiday Inn for shelter.
Facebook has created a safety check portal to allow those near the area to reassure their family and friends they are safe.
Here are the accounts of fans and witnesses at the scene, as people around the world send their thoughts to those affected.
The first-hand accounts
https://twitter.com/hannawwh/status/866775833553379328
https://twitter.com/lnandelrey/status/866803039126114305
https://twitter.com/SamWardMCR/status/866778426216247298
Armed police seem to be working to clear the area around the arena. Armed response officers are running to check the surrounding area. pic.twitter.com/FlVn751vCG
— Adam McClean (@Adam_McClean) May 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/JoeAaronGregory/status/866784565821677569
Applauding cab drivers in #Manchester for giving free rides to familys to get them away from the scene
— suzanne Carr 🐝 (@suzeisblue) May 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/AdamMcCleanITV/status/866803356756561921
Vicky describes the moment she pulled her daughter from the crowd leaving the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena. @GranadaReports pic.twitter.com/zIZCxxevWs
— Mikey Worrall (@mikeyworrall1) May 23, 2017
Young child taken out from the cordon area by a police officer at Manchester arena pic.twitter.com/THm1GZfEBi
— Clare Fallon (@clarefallon) May 23, 2017
To my fellow @NHSMillion workers in Manchester tonight, our thoughts are with you all. #AmazingNHS pic.twitter.com/JDtsqKwdYE
— Lee Adams (@matchwornshirt1) May 22, 2017
The authorities
Emergency services responding to serious incident at Manchester Arena. Avoid the area. More details will follow as soon as available
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2017
Police cordon around Victoria Station, Manchester and Manchester Arena. All adjacent to city centre, heavily residential too. @LBC for more
— Shelagh Fogarty (@ShelaghFogarty) May 22, 2017
Police statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/gaKASukx9a
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2017
— AO Arena (@AOArena) May 23, 2017
Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/BEpLOan3dY
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
There will be a controlled explosion in Cathedral gardens shortly if you hearing anything don't be concerned.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
You can hear the bang from the controlle explosion. We were told to stand against the wall but away from windows pic.twitter.com/3OUeCiiStT
— Eleanor Barlow (@EleanorBarlow) May 23, 2017
Latest: Statement from the Prime Miniater on the #Manchester attack: pic.twitter.com/5QvDXQXRZE
— Vincent McAviney (@VinnyMcAv) May 23, 2017
The music community
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/866849021519966208
My heart hurts for my sister, Ariana & every family affected by this tragic event in the U.K. Innocent lives lost. I'm so sorry to hear this
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) May 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/taylorswift13/status/866824457050099712
I'm heartbroken over what happened in Manchester tonight.
Sending love to everyone involved. H— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) May 23, 2017
Absolutely Horrendous what happened in Manchester tonight. My thoughts are with the great people of Manchester and also Ari and her team xx
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) May 23, 2017
MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO PPL OF MANCHESTER…HAD SPECIAL TIMES THERE FROM YOUTH & BEYOND
— Cher (@cher) May 22, 2017
No words can describe how I feel about what happened in Manchester. I don't wanna believe that the world we live in could be so cruel.
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) May 23, 2017
Praying for everyone at @ArianaGrande's show
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) May 22, 2017
