National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Lami Victor KADUNA
In a tragic incident on Monday, two children were killed and nine others injured, six critically, in a knife attack during a dance class in Southport, near Liverpool, in northern England.
A 17-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder following the attack, which also left two adults with critical injuries, according to Merseyside Police.
Police chief Serena Kennedy stated that while counter-terror police had offered support, the attack is not being treated as terror-related and the motive remains unclear. All those injured had been stabbed, she added.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed deep shock, saying, “The events today are just truly awful, the whole country is deeply shocked. Our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, families, friends, and the wider community. It is almost impossible to imagine the grief.”
The incident occurred shortly before midday at a property hosting a Taylor Swift-themed dance class for young children. Officers arriving at the scene found multiple people, many of them children, had been subjected to a ferocious attack. The suspect had walked in from the street and started attacking the children, while adults tried to protect them.
Armed officers detained the suspect and seized a knife. Kennedy, reflecting on the tragedy, said, “As a mum and nana, I can’t begin to imagine the pain and suffering that the families of the victims are going through.”
The North West Ambulance Service treated 11 casualties at the scene, who were then transported to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and other local hospitals by ambulance and helicopter.
Local shop owner Bare Varathan reported seeing “seven to 10 kids” who were “injured, bleeding,” confirming they had been stabbed.
The suspect is in custody, and police are continuing their investigations to determine the motive for this tragic incident. The area where the incident took place is described as a quiet neighborhood of residential streets. Residents appeared shocked, with one man stating, “It’s not what you expect to see in Southport.”
