LONDON: A knife attack in Southport, a town near Liverpool in northern England, left at least two children dead and six others injured on Monday, including children, emergency services said. The violent incident, described as “horrendous” by authorities, prompted a major response from police and medical teams.
Armed police were called to a property in Southport, where they apprehended a suspect and seized a knife. The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) reported that eight persons, including some children, sustained stab wounds and were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The injured were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital, and Southport and Formby Hospital. Alder Hey Children’s Hospital confirmed that it had declared a major incident in response to the influx of casualties.
Local business owner Colin Parry, who was among those who contacted emergency services, reported seeing several young girls who had been stabbed. Another local shop owner, Bare Varathan, witnessed multiple children injured and bleeding, confirming the tragic nature of the attack.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his shock and sorrow over the incident. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Starmer described the attack as “horrendous and deeply shocking” and conveyed his thoughts to those affected by the violence.
The attack occurred in a typically quiet, residential neighborhood, which heightened the shock among local residents. Many were visibly shaken as they were briefly allowed to leave their homes, according to an AFP reporter on the scene.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, remarked on the rarity of such violence in Southport, stating, “It’s not what you expect to see in Southport.”
