Anti-immigrant violence in Belfast after knife attack

Eemran, an engineer of Indian origin living in Belfast, said protesters threw petrol bombs and fires spread rapidly, forcing residents to evacuate.

London: Masked men torched houses and vehicles and blocked roads across Belfast as anti-immigrant unrest swept parts of Northern Ireland following a knife attack that left a man seriously injured.

The violence erupted after footage circulated online allegedly showing a Sudanese man attacking another man in north Belfast. The victim, in his 40s, suffered critical inju­ries to his eyes, face and back and was admitted to hospital. Police arrested a 30-year-old suspect and charged him with attempted murder, possession of a knife in a public place and making threats to kill.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at several locations, with some attacking police and setting buses, cars and houses afire. Television footage showed officers evacuating families from burning homes. Local politicians said many of those targeted were Black residents.

Camila, a Chilean resident who moved to Belfast last month, described the situation as “scary”, while urging peaceful discussion.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill condemned the violence, calling masked men “burning families out of their homes” “disgusting cowardice”. She said: “Racism, intimidation and violence are wrong wherever they occur.”

PM Keir Starmer described the original knife attack as “sickening”. The UK Home Office said the suspect was a Sudanese refugee with a residence permit valid until 2028. Police chief Jon Boutcher said he arrived in the UK in 2023 and was not previously kno­wn to police.

—Agencies