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Six children and two adults remain in critical condition after a “horror movie” knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga class in Southport.
Two children were killed after a suspected teenage knifeman attacked the family-friendly event in Hart Street at roughly 11.50am on Monday.
Merseyside Police said adults at the event had bravely attempted to prevent the children from being attacked, with two of those critically injured.
The force said “two young children” were killed in the knife attack, while nine other children were injured, six of them are in critical condition.
Those injured were taken to nearby major hospitals including Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
Merseyside Police confirmed a 17-year-old had been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder over the “ferocious” attack and that a knife was seized in the seaside town, which sits around 20 miles north of Liverpool.
The ages of the dead children, or whether boys or girls, have not been given by police, who said they are not treating the incident as terror-related but the motive “remains unclear”.
The King was among those sending his condolences after the horror stabbing, saying his “prayers and deepest sympathies” were with the families affected.
“My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport today,” he said.
“We send our most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have so tragically lost their lives, and to all those affected by this truly appalling attack.”
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy told reporters at a press conference: “It is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance hall when the offender, armed with a knife, walked into the premises and started to attack inside.
“We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked.”
She added: “As a mum and a nanna, I can’t begin to imagine the pain and suffering that the families of the victims are going through at this moment in time.
“I wish to send my heartfelt condolences to them.”
Police are not treating the incident as terror related, with officers saying “the motivation for the incident remains unclear.”
Dave Kitchin, of the North-West Ambulance Service, said the attack would leave a “lasting impact on the whole community”.
Mr Kitchin also confirmed 11 casualties were treated in total at what he described as a “devastating scene”.
A local business owner, who was one of the people who called the police, said he believed six or seven “young girls” had been stabbed.
“The mothers are coming here now and screaming,” he said. “It is like a scene from a horror movie.
“It’s like something from America, not like sunny Southport.”
Eye-witness Bare Varathan, 35, who owns a corner shop on Hart Street, said he saw “seven to ten kids” injured outside a nursery.
Indicating the neck, back and chest area, he said: “They were injured, bleeding. They were in the road, running from the nursery.
“They had been stabbed, here, here, here, everywhere.
“They were all aged about ten. One of them was really seriously injured.
“I hope they will be OK. Only two police jeeps and ambulances arrived, then armed police came and took him out of the nursery.”
A witness told the BBC they saw one girl on a stretcher covered in blood following the attack.
Journalist Tim Johnson of Eye on Southport, who arrived at the scene around 20 minutes after the police had been called, said: “Her parents were running after her. It was horrendous. I’ve never seen anything like it.
“There were so many police cars. It was a mass of blue lights.
“I saw ambulance men and women in tears. People were in tears in the streets.”
He told the broadcaster the attack took place at the Hope of Hart children’s club.
One of the events listed at The Hart Space at the time of the stabbings was a Taylor Swift-themed yoga class for children in school years two to six, aged between six and 11.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was among those offering his condolences to the victims and their families and friends, saying “the whole country is deeply shocked”.
“The events today are just truly awful and I know the whole country is deeply shocked at what they have seen and what they have heard,” he said.
“I know I speak for everybody in the whole country in saying our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their families, their friends and with the wider community.
“It is impossible to imagine what they are going through right now.”
Sir Keir also thanked the emergency services for their response, saying: “They have responded to an awful incident today. I want to thank them for the professionalism they have shown in doing so.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales said in a joint statement “as parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through.”
“We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack.”
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) earlier said its paramedics responded to reports of “multiple stabbings”.
It said it had dispatched 13 ambulances along with specialised resources of its Hazardous Area Response Team (Hart), an air ambulance and doctors.
In a statement, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital said: “We can confirm that the trust has declared a major incident.
“The trust is working with other emergency services to respond to this incident and our emergency department is currently extremely busy.
“We ask parents to only bring their children to the emergency department if it is urgent.
“All other appointments and services are running as normal.”
Police issued an order barring drones and helicopters from flying overhead without the explicit permission of officers as they responded to the scene.
Photos showed a major emergency response at the scene including police cars, ambulances and a fire engine, which were behind a police cordon on a residential street.
Southport MP Patrick Hurley earlier said he was “deeply concerned” by the reports coming from Merseyside Police.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “I am deeply concerned by the reports coming from Merseyside Police about a major incident on Hart Street in Southport today.
“I am hoping for the best possible outcomes to the casualties affected.
“My thoughts go out to all those affected, their loved ones and to the entire community.
“The police have confirmed that an individual involved in the attack has now been detained.
“I am repeating the advice of the police to avoid the area whilst the police and ambulance teams support this incident.”
North West Air Ambulance Charity was also called to the stabbings.
In a statement on social media, the charity said: “Earlier today, we received a call to attend an incident in Southport.
“Our crew is working closely with the other agencies involved, including the police and North West Ambulance Service. Our priority is the wellbeing of those involved.
“We ask that people resist speculating about the incident and avoid posting images and videos online.
“We would encourage dashcam or mobile phone footage to be given to the police, as such material could prove vital in any ongoing investigation.”
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “I am utterly shocked and devastated to hear about the truly appalling incident this morning in Southport.
“First and foremost, my heart goes out to the young victims, their families and all who knew and loved them. I cannot even imagine the untold pain and heartache they are facing.
“My thoughts are also with all those who suffered injuries and who have been affected by this harrowing incident.
“To hear that innocent, defenceless children have been attacked during a Taylor Swift event at a dance school as they enjoyed the start of the school summer holidays is unthinkable and absolutely abhorrent.
“These young people had their whole lives ahead of them and it is hard to find the words to convey our deep sadness.”