Ariana Grande's mother Joan 'escorted terrified fans to safety and comforted them backstage' moments after the tragic explosion at singer's Manchester gig
- At least 22 people killed and 119 injured after explosions rang out at the end of an Ariana Grande gig in Manchester Arena
- Video footage showed thousands fleeing in tears from the venue, many covered in blood, when gig ended
- Manchester Police confirmed the suicide bomber died at the venue after an improvised explosive device was detonated
- Ariana, 23, wrote in an emotional tweet: 'broken. from the bottom of my heart, [I] am so so sorry. [I] don't have words.'
- Singer has since suspended her The Dangerous Woman Tour, and will not perform in London on Thursday night
Ariana Grande's mother Joan immediately escorted terrified fans to safety backstage after the explosion was first heard at her daughter's concert in the Manchester Arena on Monday, according to TMZ.
The site reports that Joan had still been sitting in her seat on the front row when the bomb detonated in the venue's lobby after the show - and was quick to come to the aid of surrounding fans.
Fellow concert-goers reveal Joan had called as many as 10 children to follow her backstage, leading them to safety seconds after the attack that has killed 22 and left 119 injured.
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Helping hand: Ariana Grande's mother Joan reportedly escorted fans to safety backstage after the explosion was heard at her daughter's concert in the Manchester Arena on Monday
The site reports that Joan had been preparing to visit her daughter backstage and congratulate her on another tour performance, when the suicide bomber targeted the sell-out concert.
Eye-witnesses state Joan, flanked by Ariana's security team, had then escorted a large group of fans sat close the stage out of the concert hall and into to the dressing rooms.
The singer's mother reportedly comforted the panicked youngsters there until they were safely evacuated by police, who arrived on the scene soon after.
Coming to aid: The site reports Joan had been preparing to visit her daughter backstage and congratulate her on another performance (above) - but was quick to rush nearby fans to safety after the explosion rang out
The news comes after Ariana's drummer spoke about the 'surreal' moment the singer and the rest of their band realised a bomb had detonated.
Aaron Spears detailed the first moments of the tragic incident to Fox News in Washington on Tuesday - which saw the musician discuss the 'heartbreaking' moment they realised it was an act of terror, in the presence of so many children.
The drummer went on to confirm the band were all safe, but admitted that the 'painful memory will live with them all forever' in the message, posted to Twitter.
Shock: The news comes after Ariana's drummer spoke about the 'surreal' moment the singer and the rest of their band realised a bomb had detonated
Devastated: Aaron Spears (above) detailed the tragedy to Fox News in Washington - discussing the 'heartbreaking' moment they realised it was an act of terror, around so many children
A suicide bomber had targeted Ariana's sell-out concert at the Manchester Arena on Monday night, leaving at least 22 dead and 119 more injured after the explosion rang out through the venue's lobby.
Aaron, Ariana and the rest of their team had been on their way back to their dressing room when they heard the bomb go off, before they were evacuated in a matter of seconds after the 'surreal' moment.
The drummer sent his account of tragic attack to journalist Steve Chenevey at the news network, who subsequently shared it on social media for fans to read.
Traumatic: The drummer described the moment as 'heartbreaking' and 'surreal', and admitted while none of the team were hurt the 'painful memory will live with us all forever'
Aaron began of the chilling event: 'We finished the show and we were walking back to our dressing rooms and BOOM!!!'
Explaining their confusion, he continued: 'We could hear people we had no idea what it was... There was all kinds of speculation as to what was going on...
'Like 5 minutes after getting to the room, security came in and informed us that we had to evacuate the building immediately.
'It was then that we realised this was serious. Initially we thought that the sound was all kinds of things but it didn't hit that this was a bomb until we were evacuated and they told us exactly what was going on.'
Scared: Aaron, Ariana, her manager Scooter (pictured in February) and the rest of their team had been on their way back to their dressing room when they heard the bomb
The drummer went on to pen the band's devastation upon hearing the news - as they were aware so many children and teenagers had been present at the gig.
He continued: 'It's so heartbreaking because so many little ones attend our shows... I just keep thinking about them.'
Aaron finished his statement by confirming to fans that the singer and the rest of the team escaped unharmed - but that they will forever be mentally scarred by the shocking attack, that has killed 22 and injured 119.
'I'm extremely thankful that no one on the touring crew was physically hurt but this painful memory will live with us all forever,' he concluded. 'I'm still just in disbelief... It's so surreal...'
Coping: Ariana has remained silent on social media since telling fans she felt 'broken' and was 'so so sorry' following the attack after her concert on Monday
Ariana has remained silent on social media since telling fans she felt 'broken' and was 'so so sorry' following the attack at her concert on Monday.
The singer, 23, wrote in an emotional tweet after the event: 'broken. from the bottom of my heart, [I] am so so sorry. [I] don't have words.'
Ariana's manager, Scooter Braun, then added: 'Tonight, our hearts are broken. Words cannot express our sorrow for the victims and families harmed in this senseless attack. We mourn the lives of children and loved ones taken by this cowardly act.
He went on to thank authorities in Manchester for their rapid response to the disastrous occurrence, added: 'We ask all of you to hold the victims, their families, and all those affected in your hearts and prayers.'
Tragic incident: The explosion occurred at about 10:35 p.m. local time, after Grande walked off the stage
Ariana has since suspended the entire European leg of her The Dangerous Woman Tour, with TMZ reporting the singer is 'incapable' of performing her next planned date in London on Thursday night.
Organisers are said to be 'deeply concerned about security' in the wake of the attack.
The singer was due to perform in England, Belgium, Poland, Germany and Switzerland over the coming weeks.
A father has told of the chilling last words Ariana told the crowd at Manchester Arena before the explosion went off.
Speechless: The devastated singer posted a short and emotional message on her Twitter account
Moving message: Grande's manager Scooter Braun posted this poignant message
He told the BBC: 'Ariana said: "Bye bye Manchester!" The lights came on then there was two big noises and people started running and shouting.
'When the doors opened I saw blood on the floor and two injured people. Blood all over their faces. A lot of people were in shock.'
Concertgoers who witnessed the carnage said that at about 10:35pm, a pair of loud explosions were heard in the building.
Majid Khan, 22, said that 'a huge bomb-like bang went off that hugely panicked everyone, and we were all trying to flee the arena.'
Father-of-two Shaun Hunter, who brought his daughters, ages 12 and 10 to the show, said there was a 'a stampede' of attendees toward the exits after the explosion. He noted, 'I saw one bloke carrying his daughter - she was bleeding.'
Help on the way: Emergency vehicles headed toward the area amid the deadly incident
Horrifying: Concertgoers, many of them children, walked in bunches as they vacated the area
Robert Tempkin, 22, described the situation that unfolded amid the disaster: 'Everyone was screaming and running ... there were coats and people's phones on the floor. People just dropped everything.'
He said that after the initial explosion, '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.'
Manchester's Victoria station was evacuated, with all trains canceled following the incident.
The explosion is Britain's deadliest attack since 52 people died in the July 7, 2005 terror attack on the London Underground.
The latest: The venue addressed the incident in a solemn tweet Monday evening
Questions remain: Officers had the area cleared and patrolled amid the carnage earlier in the evening
Ongoing probe: Law enforcement and emergency responders descended upon the area after the suspected terrorist attack
Symbolic: A mourning ribbon symbol adorned with Grande's bunny ears was making the rounds on social media Monday
Responses were flooding in from international leaders.
'This incident, this attack, is especially vile, especially criminal, especially horrific because it appears to have been deliberately directed at teenagers,' Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said.
'This is an attack on innocents. Surely there is no crime more reprehensible than the murder of children. This is a direct and brutal attack on young people everywhere, on freedom everywhere.'
Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said, 'I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the victims and families of the deceased and my prayers to a swift recovery for the wounded.
'Japan stands in solidarity with the people of the U.K.,' while addressing the possible connection to terrorism. 'If this is a terrorist attack, such abhorrent acts of terrorism cannot be justified for any reason, and Japan firmly condemns such an act of terrorism.'
Sad sirens: Grande's pop peers such as Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Harry Styles and Selena Gomez chimed in with thoughts and prayers on the catastrophic evening
Grande's tour, her third time hitting the international concert circuit, kicked off with a February show in Phoenix.
Further stops on her immediate concert trail included scheduled dates in Antwerp, Belgium; Lodz, Poland and Frankfurt, Germany. The tour was slated to extend through fall, wrapping up September 21 at Hong Kong's AsiaWorld–Arena.
Now celebrities from the worlds of music, film and entertainment have passed on their condolences following the devastating incident which will hugely affect the way concerts are kept secure in UK in the future.
Former footballer David Beckham, who became a global sports superstar playing for Manchester United, posted on Facebook: 'Heartbreaking news from Manchester.
The aftermath: Law enforcement descended upon the area, which was cordoned off amid the ongoing probe
United in love: Concertgoers Vikki Baker and her 13-year-old daughter Charlotte on Tuesday emerged from a Park Inn they were given shelter at amid the chaos of Monday's events
The day after: Roads leading to the arena were blocked off as the investigation continued on Tuesday
'As a father and a human what has happened truly saddens me. My thoughts are with all of those that have been affected by this tragedy...'
His wife, former Spice Girl Victoria - who lived in Manchester at the beginning of their marriage, added: 'My heartfelt thoughts and prayers for all those effected by the tragedy in Manchester last night.'
One of the world's biggest performers - Taylor Swift - who packs out arenas across the world revealed she had been left devastated by the attack.
She wrote to her fans: 'My thoughts, prayers and tears for all those affected by the Manchester tragedy tonight. I'm sending all my love.'
Probe continues: Forensic investigators worked at the scene of the explosion early Tuesday
Another star due to go out on a world tour later this year, Katy Perry, also responded on the micro blogging site: 'Praying for everyone at @arianagrande's show... Broken hearted for the families tonight. Broken hearted for Ari. Broken hearted for the state of this world.'
Many of the stars speaking out were from Manchester, one of the UK's most famous hubs for music.
Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher wrote: 'In total shock and absolutely devastated about what's gone down in Manchester. Sending Love and Light to all the families involved.'
Shaken: Ariana Grande's pop peers such as Katy Perry, Demi Lovato and Harry Styles - some of the biggest performers in the world - led the celebrity tributes on social media in wake of the Manchester Arena terror attack on Monday night
Another rocker from the city, The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, tweeted: 'Manchester stands together.'
Take That singer Gary Barlow added: 'Sad, sad news from Manchester. Praying for all the victims and families involved.'
While another Manchester native Mick Hucknell wrote: 'Heartbreaking news from my hometown. Manchester be strong. Brainwashed social misfits will not change the way we are, the way we live.'
Horror: At least 22 people - including children - are dead and more than 59 are injured after a suicide bomber targeted young gig-goers at the packed gig
In the US, British chatshow host James Corden opened his The Late Late Show with an impassioned monologue paying his respects to those who had lost their lives while simply trying to watch their idol perform.
The fact a major US artist had been caught up in such an attack sent shockwaves through the American showbusiness world.
Miley Cyrus, a friend of her pop peer Grande, wrote: 'Wishing I could give my friend @arianagrande a great big hug right now... love love love you .... so sorry you had to be apart of such a tragic event! my most sincere condolences to anyone and everyone affected by this horrific attack! all I can do is send as much HOPE & PEACE your way! This MUST end! No more war .... no more innocent lives taken.'
Heartbroken: Former footballer David Beckham, who became a global sports superstar playing for Manchester United, posted on Facebook: 'Heartbreaking news from Manchester'
Home from home: Former Spice Girl Victoria - who lived in Manchester at the beginning of her marriage to David - also posted a sweet tribute
Hometown: Many of the stars speaking out were from Manchester, one of the UK's most famous hubs for music, including former Oasis rocker Liam Gallagher
Pop star Demi Lovato wrote: 'Tearing up imaging innocent concert goers losing their lives.. praying for everyone and all #arianators.'
Greater Manchester Police said: 'Emergency services are currently responding to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena.
'There are a number of confirmed fatalities and others injured.
'Please AVOID the area as first responders work tirelessly at the scene. Details of a casualty bureau will follow as soon as available.'
Panicked families also turned to social media in a desperate attempt to locate their loved ones after the explosion.
There were reports online that more than 50 children that left the stadium without guardians have been taken to the nearby Holiday Inn.
Message home: Over in the US, British chatshow host James Corden sent an impassioned message to Manchester, saying they 'will grow even stronger this evening'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4534346/Ariana-Grande-s-mother-Joan-escorted-fans-safety.html#ixzz4hveYtKxp
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