Violence Erupts Across Belfast After Knife Attack, Families Forced to Flee

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Belfast: Disorder spread across Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland after a knife attack left a man seriously injured, forcing some residents to flee their homes as violence escalated on the streets.

Houses and cars were set on fire, businesses were targeted, and public transport services in Belfast were suspended after unrest broke out following the attack in north Belfast on Monday night.

A 30 year old Sudanese man has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and making threats to kill. He is due to appear in court on Wednesday.

The victim, a man in his 40s, remains in hospital with serious injuries to his eyes, neck and back. Police said the attack happened in Kinnaird Avenue at around 10:30 p.m. local time. A knife believed to have been used in the assault was recovered at the scene.

As anger over the incident spread, protests took place in several towns and cities across Northern Ireland. While some demonstrations remained peaceful, violence erupted in a number of areas, including Belfast.

Residents reported masked groups attacking homes, breaking windows, kicking in doors and setting vehicles ablaze. In east Belfast, a bus and several bins were also set on fire. Public transport operator Translink suspended services after condemning the attacks.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said it responded to 62 incidents during Tuesday evening, most of them in the Greater Belfast area. Additional fire crews were deployed to meet demand.

Police appealed for calm and urged community leaders to discourage violence. Senior officers said an increased police presence would remain in place in the coming days.

Political leaders from across Northern Ireland condemned both the original knife attack and the subsequent unrest. They called for peaceful protests and warned against targeting innocent people.

Community leaders also expressed concern that some ethnic minority families were being forced from their homes. Pastor Jack McKee said members of his church had been displaced because of their race, describing the situation as deeply upsetting.

Authorities later clarified that the suspect is Sudanese after an earlier police statement incorrectly identified him as Somali. According to the Home Office, he entered the United Kingdom in 2023 and was granted refugee status the same year. He reportedly travelled from Sudan to Paris, then to Dublin, before arriving in Belfast. Police said he was not previously known to them and had no record on national security databases.

Investigations into both the knife attack and the widespread disorder remain ongoing.

Pic : AFP/ Representative Image