Manchester mall evacuated amid reports of blast hours after concert bombing

Developing story: The Arndale center has reportedly reopened following the temporary evacuation; suspect arrested.

By REUTERS
Updated: MAY 23, 2017 15:40
Manchester's Arndale shopping centre evacuated - Reuters witness (credit: REUTERS)
MANCHESTER, England - A major shopping center in the northern English city of Manchester is now reopening after it was temporarily evacuated, a Reuters witness said on Tuesday.
Police had begun removing the cordon and workers were slowly being allowed back into site, he said.
Authorities later said they arrested a man at the mall and they do not believe the incident was connected with the attack that killed 22 people in the same northern English city.
"A man has been arrested at the Arndale Centre – this is not currently believed to connected to last night's attacks," Greater Manchester Police said on Twitter.
A Reuters witness said police had begun removing the cordon and workers were slowly being allowed back into the center after it was closed earlier on Tuesday.
Earlier on Tuesday a separate Reuters witness reported scores of people running from the Arndale shopping center, with some saying they had heard a big bang.
At least 22 people, including some children, were killed and 59 were wounded when a suicide bomber struck as thousands of fans streamed out of a concert by US singer Ariana Grande in the English city of Manchester on Monday.