• Attack in Manchester killed at least 19, injured scores
  • PM May calls it an “appalling terrorist attack”

British Prime Minister Theresa May and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn have agreed to suspend election campaigning until further notice following an explosion that killed 19 and injured dozens in the northern English city of Manchester.

May said on Tuesday that authorities were working to establish the details of the blast, adding that it was being treated as an “appalling terrorist attack”.

“We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack,” she said in a statement. “All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected.”

Her comments come as Britain prepares for a general election on June 8.

Initial signs pointed to a suicide bomber as the cause of the blast, said two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Earlier, British police had carried out a controlled explosion on a suspect device as a precaution, adding that the destroyed item turned out to be abandoned clothing rather than something suspicious.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it was closely monitoring the situation in Manchester. In a statement, it said had “no information to indicate a specific credible threat involving music venues in the United States.”

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“However, the public may experience increased security in and around public places and events as officials take additional precautions,” the statement said.

Monday’s explosion took place at a concert by Ariana Grande and five hours following the incident, the pop singer made her first comment in a tweet.