Blast at Ariana Grande concert in British arena, several killed

​ Ariana Grande returns to US following Manchester bombing

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.

​ Some musicians cancel concerts after Manchester blast

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.

Britain deploys military personnel to support armed police: Theresa May (AFP)

Britain raises terror threat level, new attack 'imminent': Theresa May (AFP)

Trump bemoans loss of life in Manchester bombing at the hands of 'evil losers in life'

"Any Indians injured in Manchester attack today may reach off-office hours of Public Response Unit of HCI (High Commission of India) ASAP at 0207632 3035," the statement said.

The Indian High Commission in London has set up a response unit and activated more helplines to assist any Indian nationals caught up in the attack.

Putin ready to boost UK anti-terror cooperation after 'inhuman' attack: Kremlin

Toll from Manchester terror attack rises to 22. Police say attacker died detonating device: AFP

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

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins says police are treating the blast as an act of terrorism "until we know otherwise.''

This incident, this attack, is especially vile, especially criminal, especially horrific because it appears to have been deliberately directed at teenagers

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

Prime Minister Theresa May has canceled campaign events after the explosion. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, too, has cancelled a campaign tour to Gibraltar.

Campaigning has been suspended in Britain's national election.

Panick at Victoria station after the blast. (Courtesy: Twitter/Zach Bruce)

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

A number of Manchester taxi services say they are offering free rides to people trapped by the incident.

The department said it had "no information to indicate a specific credible threat involving music venues in the United States."

The US Department of Homeland Security said it is closely monitoring the situation in Manchester.

<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>

Armed police presence around city centre; Theresa May to chair emergency Cobra meeting

British PM May to suspend election campaigning after Manchester blast: Reuters

Narendra Modi condemns Manchester attck

<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>

All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected

<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>

British PM May says police treating Manchester incident as appalling terrorist attack

Ahead of May's election

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.

Deadliest attack?

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>

Suicide bomber suspected in Manchester blast

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.

British police say controlled explosion in Manchester not a suspicious item: Reuters

​ <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>

Second suspect device at Manchester Arena; controlled explosion imminent, say British police: Reuters

19 dead, around 50 injured at Ariana Grande concert in Manchester: UK Police

BBC says British police treating blast in Manchester as possible terrorist incident: Reuters

Confirmed casualties, said Police

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