An explosion outside the Manchester Arena killed 19 people and injured 60 as they exited the venue following a performance by American pop singer Ariana Grande in the UK's second-largest city.  Authorities identified a male at the scene as the likely suicide bomber.

It was just after 10:30 PM local time and Ms. Grande had finished her final number.  The lights were on in the arena and audience of teens and parents chaperoning younger kids were heading for the doors.  The sound of the blast reverberated in and out of the arena and people began to panic and run through a sea of balloons that had been released during the performance.

"It was one bang and essentially everyone from the other side of the arena where the bang was heard from suddenly came running towards us as they were trying to exit," said concert-goer Majid Khan. 

Manchester, UK

Fans made it outside only to find the dead and wounded at the blast scene, which appeared to have been consciously chosen because it was the main path out. 

Manchester, UK
Manchester, UK

Many families found themselves separated in the chaos.  Parents used social media to post photos of children who went missing, and went through the night awaiting word from authorities.  Others managed to find each other at a Holiday Inn designated as a meeting place.

The UK media speculated that the device was a nail bomb because of the numerous shrapnel injuries.  As evidence piled up, police made the only call they could.

"We are currently treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise," said Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins.  "This is clearly a very concerning time for everyone.  We're doing all that we can, working with local and national agencies, to support those affected as we gather information about what happened."

Early on, Ariana Grande's management released a statement saying that she was not harmed in the attack.  Later, the singer tweeted, "Broken.  From the bottom of my heart, SEXLOCALS I am so so sorry.  I don't have words."

British Prime Minister Theresa May suspended campaign for next month's election and called a special meeting of her security advisors.