- Title: Celebrities tweet words of solidarity for Ariana Grande fans
- Date: 23rd May 2017
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE - NOVEMBER 20, 2017) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** SINGER ARIANA GRANDE ON THE RED CARPET AT THE 2016 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS
- Embargoed: 6th June 2017 02:14
- Keywords: Britain Demi Lovato Cher Manchester explosion BIA Manchester Arena Ariana Grande Katy Perry
- Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES/SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE
- City: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES/SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE
- Country: USA
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Arts / Culture / Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA0026I2526F
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: At least 19 people were killed in a blast at a concert in the English city of Manchester on Monday (May 22) where U.S. singer Ariana Grande had been performing and two U.S. officials said a suicide bomber was suspected in the explosion.
British police said the incident, in which at least 50 people were injured, was being treated as a terrorist incident.
Police carried out a controlled explosion on a suspect device several hours after the blast.
Police said they responded to reports of an explosion shortly after 10:35 pm (2135 GMT) at the arena, which has a capacity for 21,000 people, and where the U.S. singer had been performing to an audience that included many children.
A representative for Republic Records, Grande's label sent a statement reading "Ariana is okay. We are further investigating what happened." Fellow musician Cher, Demi Lovato and Katy Perry tweeted their best wishes to those inside the arena.
If confirmed as a terrorism incident, it would be the deadliest attack in Britain by militants since four British Muslims killed 52 people in suicide bombings on London's transport system in July 2005.
The blast also came two and half weeks ahead of an election in which Prime Minister Theresa May is predicted by opinion polls to win a large majority. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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