Southport stabbing leaves two children dead, nine injured

After a stabbing attack in Southport in northwestern England, two children are dead, and nine have been injured. The tragic incident occurred at a community centre during physical activities. The attacker has been apprehended.

The attack took place on Monday in the city of Southport in northwestern England.

A witness reported seeing bloodied children running out of the community centre, where dance and yoga classes for children aged six to 11 were being held.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as terrible and shocking.

Police were called to the community centre Monday afternoon. Officers apprehended a 17-year-old suspect and found a knife, which likely was used to attack the children. Medical services transported the injured to hospitals.

One witness described Southport as generally an exceptionally peaceful place where people come to relax.

According to the Associated Press, the attack occurred during classes for children advertised as a morning of yoga, dancing, and bracelet-making to Taylor Swift's music.

The deadliest attack on children in the UK occurred in 1996 when 43-year-old Thomas Hamilton shot 16 children and their kindergarten teacher in Dunblane, Scotland. Following that attack, authorities effectively banned the possession of firearms in the UK.

As noted by AP, in recent years, the number of knife attacks in the UK has increased, resulting in public calls for the government to make access to bladed weapons more difficult.