The wounded are being treated at eight hospitals around the city of Manchester, United Kingdom. Photo: GOODMAN/LNP/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Virgin Islands' student Leroy James (left) and attorney Kyron M. Vanterpool (right), both currently in Manchester, United Kingdom, are said to be safe. Most of the VI students in Manchester are reportedly said to be safe following the suicide bombing in the Manchester Arena. Photo: Facebook

Greater Manchester Police said there are a 'number of confirmed fatalities and others injured'. Photo: Peter Byrne

Twenty-two people, including an eight-year-old girl, were killed and 59 injured in what has been described as a suicide bombing.

A man set off a homemade bomb in the foyer of the arena in what British Prime Minister Theresa M. May called a "sickening" act.

The incident is now being treated as a terrorist attack.

According to the BBC, armed police have arrested a 23-year-old man in Chorlton, south Manchester, in connection with the attack.

It is the worst terrorist attack in the UK since the 7 July bombings in 2005 in which 52 people were killed by four suicide bombers.

So-called Islamic State (IS) has said it was behind the attack, via IS channels on the messaging app Telegram.

Virgin Islands students appear safe

Reports from our newsroom, which is aware of about 10 Virgin Islands students living in Manchester, most if not all Virgin Islands’ residents and students are accounted for.

Young Virgin Islands (VI) Attorney Kyron M. Vanterpool, who works in Manchester, reported to our newsroom to be “ok” and said most of the VI residents he spoke to was accounted for. Mr Leroy James Jr, a VI student pursuing a master's degree in Manchester, also reported to be safe and had made contact with a few other VI students who reported to be safe also.

See previous article published March 22, 2017

Several killed in Manchester Arena blast

BBC NEWS

A number of people have died and others have been injured following a reported explosion at Manchester Arena.

Witnesses said they heard two loud bangs, reported to in the foyer, after a pop concert by singer Ariana Grande.

Greater Manchester Police said there are a "number of confirmed fatalities and others injured".

The cause of the reported explosion is unknown but the North West Counter Terrorism Unit is treating it as a possible terrorist incident.

BBC Home Affairs Correspondent Daniel Sandford said senior counter-terrorism officers are assembling in London and are liaising with the Home Office.

He said early estimates put the number of fatalities in double figures, although these are not confirmed.

Manchester Victoria station, which is close to the concert venue, has been closed and all trains cancelled. British Transport Police say explosion was in the foyer area of Manchester Arena.

Manchester Arena, formerly known as the MEN Arena, is the biggest indoor venue in the city with a capacity of around 18,000 for concerts.

The arena foyer connects with Victoria train and tram station, a major hub on the northern edge of the city centre.

The arena regularly hosts concerts by major stars like Ariana Grande - a 23-year-old American TV teen actress-turned-pop star.

She's a big draw for young fans, with hits including Problem, featuring Iggy Azalea, which hit number one in the UK in 2014; and Side To Side, featuring Nicki Minaj, which reached number four last year.

She's currently on a European tour - she's already played Birmingham and Dublin and is due to be at the O2 Arena in London on Wednesday and Thursday.