Blast at Ariana Grande concert in British arena, several killed

Ariana Grande returned to the United States on Tuesday, one day after a suicide bomber killed 22 people at the singer's concert in Manchester, England, as questions lingered over whether she would continue her European tour.

The suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England has shaken the music world, with some artists canceling upcoming gigs and others planning to go ahead as scheduled. Blondie canceled a Tuesday night concert in London "as a mark of respect for the victims of the terrible attack'' at the Manchester Arena. Lead singer Debbie Harry tweeted that the Round Chapel date will be rescheduled.

Celebrities like Katy Perry, John Legend, Ellen DeGeneres, Dwayne Johnson and more took to social media and shared their thoughts and prayers for Manchester.

Shocked by the horrific attack in #Manchester. My thoughts and prayers with the affected and their families.

& M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) May 23, 2017

Canadians are shocked by the news of the horrific attack in Manchester tonight. Please keep the victims & their families in your thoughts.

& Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 23, 2017

Twitter accounts affiliated to Islamic State have used hashtags referring to the blast to post celebratory messages, with some users encouraging similar attacks elsewhere. Some messages described the attack as an act of revenge in response to air strikes in Iraq and Syria.

Our prayers and strengh to the victims and their families involved in this tragedy in Manchester. Stay strong. @ArianaGrande ????

& Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) May 22, 2017

Broken hearted for the families tonight. Broken hearted for Ari. Broken hearted for the state of this world. ??

& KATY PERRY (@katyperry) May 23, 2017

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected in Manchester.

& Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) May 23, 2017

Panicking at Victoria Station after @ArianaGrande concert. Hope everyone is all safe and well. pic.twitter.com/6Q5WNXFkFO

& Zach Bruce (@Zach_bruce) May 22, 2017

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

& Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> An emergency number is available for those who are concerned about loved ones or anyone who may have been in the area - 0161 856 9400</p> &mdash; G M Police (@gmpolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/gmpolice/status/866837240026198016">May 23, 2017</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> Pained by the attack in Manchester. We strongly condemn it. Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased &amp; prayers with the injured.</p> &mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/866826112889835523">May 23, 2017</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> Emergency services still working at the scene of last nights incident at Manchester Arena and continue to ask public to avoid the area</p> &mdash; G M Police (@gmpolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/gmpolice/status/866828529098530817">May 23, 2017</a></blockquote>

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.

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.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> Terrible sad news at <a href="https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande">@ArianaGrande</a> concert. People spend months looking forward to watching their idol, and then this. Sending love to all.</p> &mdash; Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) <a href="https://twitter.com/chelseahandler/status/866822182869106688">May 23, 2017</a></blockquote>

Initial signs point to a suicide bomber as the cause of a blast at a music venue in Manchester, England, that killed 19 people and injured 50, two US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

​ <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="und"> <a href="https://t.co/cPwkQbrYp2">pic.twitter.com/cPwkQbrYp2</a></p> &mdash; Manchester Arena (@ManchesterArena) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManchesterArena/status/866808098798927873">May 23, 2017</a></blockquote>

Police said they were responding to reports of an explosion and that there were a number of confirmed casualties and others injured.