LONDON - British police carried out a controlled explosion of a suspicious item near the Manchester Arena early Tuesday morning after a blast killed at least 19 people and injured 50 others late Monday night in what authorities called a "possible terrorist incident."

Yet officers executing the measure at the Cathedral Gardens, a small park nearby, "confirm that it was abandoned clothing, not a suspicious item," Greater Manchester Police said in a tweet.

In an earlier tweet, the police said, "There will be a controlled explosion in Cathedral Gardens shortly if you hearing anything don't be concerned."