BELFAST — Hundreds of anti-immigrant protesters took to the streets of Belfast on Tuesday after a knife attack that left a man with serious head and neck injuries sparked anger across Northern Ireland.
The unrest erupted hours after video footage of the attack spread rapidly across social media. Police charged a 30-year-old Sudanese man with attempted murder and other offenses following the incident, which took place in north Belfast on Monday evening. The victim remains hospitalized with serious injuries.
As news of the attack circulated online, large crowds gathered in several parts of Belfast. Some protesters set vehicles on fire, blocked roads, and clashed with police as tensions escalated throughout the day. Officers were deployed across affected areas while authorities worked to prevent further violence.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the knife attack as "sickening" and praised members of the public who intervened to help the victim. Government officials also urged calm as community leaders warned against allowing the incident to fuel wider unrest.
Police said they are investigating the attack while monitoring public order concerns linked to the demonstrations. Authorities have warned that misinformation circulating online could further inflame tensions and have appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified claims.
The violence comes at a time when immigration remains a highly sensitive political issue across the United Kingdom. The Belfast unrest is expected to intensify debate over border security, asylum policies, and public safety as political leaders face growing pressure to respond.