Shocking scenes erupted in Belfast on Tuesday night, with houses and vehicles set alight by protesters following a horrific knife attack. Crowds gathered across the city, with violence breaking out and residents being evacuated from their homes amid the carnage.
Arson and Attacks
A bus was set on fire in east Belfast, while two cars were torched in the Tigers Bay area and a police car was set alight in Portadown. Angry protesters threw projectiles at police vehicles, as police commanders and political leaders appealed for calm.
The Knife Attack
The unrest followed a brutal knife attack on Monday night. A 30-year-old Sudanese man was charged with attempted murder. The victim, a man in his 40s, suffered serious injuries to his eyes, back, and face and remains in hospital in a serious condition. The attack was captured on video, showing the suspect stabbing the victim's head and neck while he was on the ground, before members of the public, including one with a hurling stick, intervened.
Suspect's Background
According to the PSNI, the suspect entered the UK across the Irish border after flying to Dublin from Paris and was granted leave to remain in 2023. The Home Office confirmed he is a Sudanese national legally in the UK.
Aftermath
An area outside apartments in north Belfast was cordoned off. Groups of protesters took to the streets, with a Glider bus set on fire on the Newtownards Road. Emergency services tackled the blaze as youths gathered in front of a burning barricade on Duncairn Gardens. Vehicles were set on fire on McMaster Street, Bute Park, and Lendrick Street. Firefighters also attended a house fire on Ligoniel Road. Political leaders condemned the 'thuggery' as the city reeled from the violence.
