Unrest breaks out in Belfast, Northern Ireland, after knife attack

Multiple fires have been reported across Belfast, Northern Ireland, as unrest broke out after an apparent attempted beheading left a man in serious condition. A 30-year-old Sudanese man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the incident.

The disorder broke out on Tuesday evening, a day after the stabbing in north Belfast. Sky News aerial footage showed fires burning at several locations across the city, including at homes, with smoke rising over the Belfast skyline.

Vehicles, including a bus, have been set on fire, and windows have been broken at commercial buildings and homes. People with their faces covered have been seen at several disturbance locations as emergency services respond across the city.

BBC News reported that disorder has been concentrated around Crumlin Road in north Belfast and on and around Lower Newtownards Road in east Belfast. A police car has also been set on fire in Portadown, about 25 miles southwest of Belfast.

It was not immediately clear how many buildings have been damaged or whether anyone has been injured in the unrest.

The unrest follows a knife attack reported shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Monday on Kinnaird Avenue in north Belfast. Police said the victim, a man in his 40s, remains in serious condition in hospital with injuries to his eyes and slash wounds to his back and face.

Graphic footage from the scene showed the attacked on top of the victim in the middle of the road, making repeated motions toward the victim’s head and neck area as bystanders shouted and tried to intervene. One person could be seen striking the suspect with an object.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland initially said the suspect was believed to be Somalian, but later corrected that and said he was Sudanese. Officials said the attacker, who is in his 30s, has been arrested and charged after the incident.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said police had declared the stabbing a critical incident and are investigating the motive.