Ariana Grande Manchester attack: the Queen, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Ellen DeGeneres, world leaders pay tribute

PinkNews logo surrounded by illustrated images including a rainbow, unicorn, PN sign and pride flag.

Celebrities, world leaders and friends of Ariana Grande have paid tribute after a terrorist attack at one of her concerts.

22 people are confirmed dead from the explosion, including children, with 59 injured.

The bomb was detonated in the minutes after the popstar walked off stage at a concert in Manchester, UK.

Greater Manchester Police

Video from the moments after the attack shows many teenage girls and their parents screaming and in tears trying to flee the venue.

Those in attendance at the concert were evacuated from the arena and train stations nearby had been brought to a standstill.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said: “We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack.”

The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “My heart goes out to families who have lost loved ones, my admiration to our brave emergency services.

“A terrible night for our great city.”

A spokesman for Ariana Grande confirmed the singer is “okay”, continuing: “We are further investigating what happened”.

The star posted on Twitter that she felt “broken” by the attack.

The 23-year-old American singer posted a tweet to her 45 million followers saying: “From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don’t have words.”

More information: 22 dead in Ariana Grande suicide bombing.

The Queen issued a statement saying: “The whole nation has been shocked by the death and injury in Manchester last night of so many people, adults and children, who had just been enjoying a concert.

“I know I speak for everyone in expressing my deepest sympathy to all who have been affected by this dreadful event and especially to the families and friends of those who have died or were injured.

“I want to thank all the members of the emergency services who have responded with such professionalism and care.

“And I would like to express my admiration for the way the people of Manchester have responded, with humanity and compassion, to this act of barbarity.”

Friends and collaborators of Grande took to social media to express their horror.

Her friend Taylor Swift tweeted: “My thoughts, prayers and tears for all those affected by the Manchester tragedy tonight. I’m sending all my love.”

Meanwhile singer Katy Perry, also a friend of Grande, wrote: “Broken hearted for the families tonight. Broken hearted for Ari. Broken hearted for the state of this world.”

Other stars, including Ellen DeGeneres, Ruby Rose, Heather Peace and Lucy Spraggan have also sent their condolences.

https://twitter.com/taylorswift13/status/866824457050099712

https://twitter.com/RubyRose/status/866818908946169858

Ian Hopkins, chief constable of Greater Manchester police, said it was believed that the man was “carrying an improvised explosive device, which he detonated causing this atrocity”.

Police tweet about the incident at an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena

Police asked members of the public to avoid the area today as they continue working at the scene. More than 400 officers were involved in the operation overnight.

“We are working closely with the national counterterrorism policing network and UK intelligence partners,” Mr Hopkins said.