UK police said on Tuesday that at least 19 people have been killed in a suspected terrorist attack during a pop concert by U.S star Ariana Grande in the northwest English city of Manchester, according to an AFP report.
The report said that there were scenes of panic as Grande's audience of young fans fled the 21,000-capacity venue after what eyewitnesses described as a "huge bomb-like bang" in the foyer area at the end of the concert.
CNN meanwhile reported that investigators said early reports indicate a suicide bomber detonated his explosives when concert fans were leaving.
Dozens of ambulances were seen rushing to the venue and bomb disposal teams were dispatched soon after, as city residents opened up their doors to stranded concert-goers after train services were shut down, reported AFP.
"So far 19 people have been confirmed dead, with around 50 others injured. This is currently being treated as a terrorist incident until police know otherwise," police said in a statement.
British Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the "appalling terrorist attack".
"All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected," she said in a statement.
AFP reported that Isabel Hodgins, an actress who had been attending the concert, told Sky News: "Everybody was panicking, there was pushing up the stairs.
"The corridor was full, it smelled of burning, there was quite a lot of smoke as we were leaving.
"It's just shocking and we just feel very shaken up. We're just lucky to have gotten away safely," she said.
Majid Khan, 22, who was attending the concert with his sister, said: "A huge bomb-like bang went off that hugely panicked everyone and we were all trying to flee the arena".