Politics: 19 dead in explosion at Ariana Grande concert in Manchester

Police have confirmed the explosion is being treated as a terrorist incident.

LONDON — Nineteen people have died and around 50 others were injured in an explosion at Manchester Arena on Monday evening.

Police have not confirmed the cause of the explosions, which occurred at 10.30 p.m. local time (BST) at an Ariana Grande concert, but it is being treated as a terrorist incident.

Manchester police warned residents to avoid the area surrounding the arena, where Grande had just finished a concert. The American singer is safe, according to her spokesperson.

The incident caused concertgoers to scramble out of the building, and videos posted on social media showed police cars and ambulances rushing to the scene. British Transport Police said the explosion occurred in the "foyer area," or lobby, of the Manchester Arena, which has a capacity of 21,000.

Kim Jackson, a witness at the scene, described the incident to Business Insider: "We had floor seats and were just heading to exit. There was a massive bang from towards the back of the arena from the corridor area.

"Everyone went silent and then huge crowds of people came running from the back and everyone was screaming and crying. We just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible so we just headed straight for the exit. When we got up to the corridor there was smoke and we could smell burning. We just ran outside and got as far away as we could."

Trains have been cancelled to and from Manchester Victoria train station, according to National Rail, while the station approach has reportedly been closed by police.

Video captures the moment of the explosion:

The blast caused pandemonium inside the Manchester Arena and people ran for safety.

Ambulances rushed to scene and witnesses on the ground have reported an armed police presence.

There were also reports of a bomb disposal unit heading into the arena.

People emerged from the arena with injuries.

This story is developing.

Police have confirmed the explosion is being treated as a terrorist incident. Read Full Story