About 50 people were injured in the blast at Manchester Arena following a concert [Xinhua]At least 19 people were killed and 59 wounded in an explosion at the end of a concert by US singer Ariana Grande in the English city of Manchester on Monday.
British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday that authorities were working to establish the details of the blast, adding that it was being treated as an “appalling terrorist attack”.
“We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack,” she said in a statement.
Chinese President Xi Jinping extended condolences to Queen Elizabeth II following the carnage.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his sympathies to the families of the victims.
Pained by the attack in Manchester. We strongly condemn it. Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased & prayers with the injured.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 23, 2017
Reuters quoted police officials saying the explosion happened shortly after 10:33 pm (2133 GMT) at the arena, which has the capacity to hold 21,000 people, where the US singer had been performing to an audience that included many children.
May and the leaders of other political parties, including Labour party chief Jeremy Corbyn, have suspended campaigning for the general election following the attack.
Earlier this year, May called a snap election for June 8 expected to define the terms of the country’s EU exit.
TBP