Nineteen people have died after a blast tore through a pop concert at Manchester Arena in a suspected terror attack, police have said.

Greater Manchester Police said that around 50 other people were injured in the explosion at the Ariana Grande concert.

The force said in a statement: “This is currently being treated as a terrorist incident until police know otherwise.”

Watford Observer:

Theresa May will chair a meeting of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee on Tuesday following the explosion which she said is being treated as an “appalling terrorist attack”.

The Prime Minister said: “We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack.

“All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected.”

Watford Observer:

Pop star Grande who attracts a youthful audience tweeted that she is “broken” following the blast.

The 23-year-old US singer, who found fame as the child star of Nickelodeon series Victorious, is in the middle of a world tour and was due to play in London next.

The force said in a statement: “This is currently being treated as a terrorist incident until police know otherwise.”

Witnesses reported hearing a “huge bang” at the venue shortly after US singer’s gig finished on Monday evening.

Watford Observer:

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

One fan who went to the concert with his sister described how the explosion happened as fans were leaving the arena.

Majid Khan, 22, said: “A huge bomb-like bang went off that hugely panicked everyone and we were all trying to flee the arena.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he had spoken to Prime Minister Theresa May and they had agreed that all national campaigning would be suspended until further notice.

Manchester’s Victoria station, which backs on to the arena, has been evacuated and all trains and trams cancelled.