The United Kingdom was left shaken after three children were stabbed to death and eight others were injured in a knife attack in Southport, in one of the worst assaults against children in the country in decades.
The attack took place at a Taylor Swift themed event at a dance school in the seaside town in northwest England, sparking disbelief over why would anyone target children having fun during the summer holiday.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the “whole country” was deeply shocked by the “truly awful” attack, while King Charles III said he was “profoundly shocked” by the “utterly horrific incident.”
Here is what we know about the attack.
What happened?
Police said Monday two girls, aged 6 and 7, were killed and six of the nine that were injured were in critical condition. Officers said the following day that another child, a 9-year-old girl, had died as a result of her injuries.
Two adults were also critically injured, police said, adding that they suffered their injures because they “were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked.”
Merseyside Police said the attack took place at a Taylor Swift event at a dance school in Southport on Monday morning, and the force said it received a call for help just before midday. Emergency services, including 13 ambulances and other specialized resources, were sent to the scene and a “major incident” was declared.
Eyewitness describes aftermath of stabbing
An eyewitness to the knife attack told CNN affiliate TVN24 on Wednesday he had been driving in the area with a colleague when he saw children running across the road and “a bloodied woman leaning against a car on the sidewalk.”
“Everyone was crying, screaming,” the eyewitness Mr. Marcin told TVN24.
“There was a white car, all covered in blood, smeared from the hands,” Marcin said, adding: “Five or six children inside, a woman, and they were all screaming.”
Marcin also said he saw a woman lying on the street with “a lot of blood” coming from her head.
His colleague Joe helped carry the girls who had been attacked from the house, Marcin said. The first girl his colleague Joe brought out was unconscious. Her head was “severely cut” and she “had a hole in her back,” Marcin said.
As Joe continued to bring children out from the house people “from the neighbourhood started gathering, bringing towels, some items,” according to Marcin.
“We didn’t even have time to talk,” Marcin said. “We were in such a shock, such a frenzy.”
Marcin said Joe told him later that the attacker was stood on the landing. “A child lay beside him (and he was) stood with a large knife, and that was it,” Marcin detailed.
“When the first three ambulances arrived, they took care of the last children brought out. I didn’t know the condition of each one because everyone was seriously injured, blood was dripping from each child.”
“Everyone was crying, screaming, some were picking up their children, and some were not because they were lying on the ground.”
Then a fourth ambulance arrived. Marcin said: “I jumped out and said I had someone very, very critical.”
Marcin added that after the girl was taken to hospital he stayed in contact with her mother. The next morning he found out the girl had tragically died.
“Police, firefighters, and ambulances were very quick, but it felt like an eternity to us. It definitely felt long, especially when someone loses breath in your hands,” Marcin said.
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More:
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/30/uk/southport-stabbing-attack-explainer/index.html
