Manchester Arena explosion: Good Samaritans offer shelter to Ariana Grande fans left stranded after terror attack

19 dead: Many were killed and around 50 injured in the blast
PA
Fiona Simpson23 May 2017
WEST END FINAL

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Kind-hearted Good Samaritans have offered shelter to those left stranded following the terror attack at an Ariana Grande gig in Manchester.

Locals are said to have taken in some of the 21,000 people affected by a blast which killed 22 people and left 59 injured.

A Holiday Inn hotel near the venue has taken in dozens of children following an explosion, according to reports.

After the incident on Monday night, city residents took to social media offering to take in any people left stranded, using the hashtag #roomformanchester.

Shaken fans: Concert-goers cling on to each other
PA

The city's mayor, former Labour MP Andy Burnham, tweeted: "If you are stranded in the area you can... follow #RoomForManchester where hotels and local people of our great city are offering refuge."

Many of those caught up in the chaos were young fans of US singer Ariana Grande, who had performed at the venue.

Armed police: The area around the arena is on lockdown
PA

Witnesses described “carnage” as they fled from the venue following the incident which occurred as the pop star performed her final song.

A woman who said she worked at the arena as staff but did not want to be named said: "All I know is it sounded like a bomb."

Manchester explosion: A "number of fatalities" after blast at Ariana Grande gig

Another concert-goer, a woman with her husband and three young children, said as the concert ended here was a loud bang and everyone leaving the venue then rushed back in.

She said: "I just freaked. Everyone started screaming. We did not see any explosion but it smelt bad, like burning."

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