Musicians and Local Ministers React To Explosion At Ariana Grande’s Manchester Concert

[UPDATE: 4:25PM, Singapore time, 23 May 2017] Authorities have raised the death toll to 22, with 59 people injured.

19 people have been killed in an explosion that occurred at the conclusion of an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester early Tuesday morning (May 23, Singapore time).

More than 50 were injured, with many concertgoers left stranded around Manchester Arena.

The Greater Manchester Police department quickly issued a statement on Twitter before conducting a precautionary controlled explosion on a piece of abandoned clothing. The article of clothing had previously been considered a suspicious item.

Latest statement on incident at Manchester Arena @CCIanHopkins pic.twitter.com/GEABqAk5rr

— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017

Videos taken by those in the area reveal scenes of panic, as concertgoers rushed to leave the venue after the explosion was heard.

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

— hannah (@hannawwh) May 22, 2017

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUaZdf_h9lm/

The 23-year-old American pop star was not harmed in the explosion and sent out the following tweet hours after the incident.

broken.
from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words.

— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017

Ariana’s manager Scooter Braun sent out a tweet condemning the attack as a “cowardly act” and thanked first responders for their service.

pic.twitter.com/BOHKwMx4wW

— Scott “Scooter” Braun (@scooterbraun) May 23, 2017

Ariana Grande is slated to perform at this year’s Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, playing the Padang Stage on Saturday, 16 September 2017.

However, the official Twitter account of Ariana’s “Dangerous Woman Tour” has stated that the tour has been “postponed indefinitely”.

https://twitter.com/DWTourUpdates/status/866855154376691712

Her fellow pop acts quickly took to Twitter to express their thoughts on the incident.

sending love to everyone in manchester tonight. totally heartbreaking. stay strong and stay safe.

— Charli (@charli_xcx) May 23, 2017

MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO PPL OF MANCHESTER…HAD SPECIAL TIMES THERE FROM YOUTH & BEYOND

— Cher (@cher) May 22, 2017

I'm heartbroken over what happened in Manchester tonight.
Sending love to everyone involved. H

— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) May 23, 2017

https://twitter.com/lorde/status/866822912673628162

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