AKIPRESS.COM - Twenty-two people have been killed and 59 injured in an explosion at the end of a concert by US singer Ariana Grande at Manchester Arena, BBC News reported.

The explosion happened in the foyer of Manchester Arena on Monday night, as people began leaving the concert. Police were called at 22:33 BST. Children are among the 22 killed in the explosion, police said. A further 59 people were injured.

Eyewitnesses described seeing metal nuts and bolts strewn around the floor and the smell of explosives. They also spoke about the fear and confusion that gripped concert-goers.

More than 240 emergency calls were made; 60 ambulances and 400 police officers attended. Streets surrounding the arena and Victoria Station were sealed off. After the attack hundreds of people in Manchester took to social media to offer spare beds and rooms for those stranded in the city.

Police say a lone male suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device, and died at the scene. They are investigating whether he acted alone or was part of a wider network. Greater Manchester Police chief constable Ian Hopkins said the force would treat the incident as a terror attack "until we have further information"

The injured are being treated at hospitals in and around Manchester. Relatives are using social media to hunt for missing loved ones.

Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the "appalling terrorist attack". "All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected," she said.  She is chairing a meeting of the emergency committee Cobra on Tuesday morning. All general election campaigning has been suspended until further notice. A union jack has been lowered to half mast in Downing Street.

A cordon remains in place around Manchester Arena and Victoria Station while forensic work is carried out.

All train services to and from Victoria station have been cancelled.

Security has been stepped up in Manchester, London and at transport hubs around the UK.