Manchester explosion: Ariana Grande's mother reportedly helps fans to safety

Ariana Grande’s Mother Reportedly Helps Fans to Safety

As fans and others around the world continue to try to make sense of the aftermath of the explosion outside Manchester Arena Monday night after an Ariana Grande concert, hero stories are beginning to emerge.

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According to TMZ, Ariana Grande's mother, Joan, is among them.

Reports say singer Ariana Grande's mother, Joan, pictured in 2013, helped fans to safety following the explosion near Manchester Arena.

Credit: John Sciulli/AMA2013

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Credit: John Sciulli/AMA2013

The site reported that, according to multiple witnesses, Joan Grande was about to go backstage to see Ariana when the incident occurred. She told the group of 10 or so kids seated around her to come backstage.

Us Weekly, which  reported it confirmed the news through a source, said that the mother and members of Ariana Grande's security team took the fans backstage and waited with them until they were cleared to exit the arena.

The attacker has been identified by officials as Salman Abedi, 22. The explosion injured more than 50 and killed 22, including an 8-year-old girl.