Anti-immigrant violence erupts in Belfast after viral knife attack

Anti-immigrant violence swept across parts of Belfast on Tuesday night, as masked groups set homes ablaze, torched vehicles, and clashed with police following a viral video of a stabbing incident that left one man critically injured.

Authorities said the unrest erupted after a knife attack on Monday evening in north Belfast, which police have described as a “critical incident.” The footage of the assault quickly circulated online, triggering widespread anger and protests that escalated into violent riots across multiple neighbourhoods.

During the chaos, several homes were set on fire, forcing families to flee as flames engulfed their properties. Video shared by the BBC showed firefighters helping residents escape burning buildings while thick smoke filled residential streets. In some areas, entire rows of parked vehicles were set ablaze by masked individuals.

Police said they deployed armoured vehicles and additional officers across Belfast as groups of rioters moved through different districts. Officials confirmed that multiple officers were attacked while attempting to contain the violence.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill strongly condemned the unrest, calling it “disgusting cowardice” and saying there is “no excuse and no justification” for targeting families in their homes.

Investigators said the original stabbing involved a 30-year-old Sudanese national, who has since been charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed weapon. The victim, a man in his 40s, suffered severe facial and eye injuries but is reportedly in stable condition after emergency treatment.

Police Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said civilians who intervened at the scene of the stabbing likely saved the victim’s life before officers arrived.

The unrest has also drawn national attention, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling the original stabbing “sickening,” while urging calm and warning against violence spreading further.

Officials say the situation was further inflamed by rapid online circulation of the attack video, which fuelled anger and misinformation. Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister Naomi Long warned that “bad faith actors” were exploiting public fear to deepen divisions and target minority communities.

Community leaders have also raised concerns that many of those targeted in the attacks were Black residents, with one local pastor telling reporters that families were being “put out just because they’re Black.”

The violence is being described by some political leaders as one of the most serious outbreaks of race-related unrest in Belfast in recent years. Opposition figures warned that online extremism and inflammatory rhetoric were accelerating tensions on the ground.

Smaller demonstrations were also reported in other parts of Northern Ireland and in London, reflecting broader debate in the UK over immigration and public safety.

Security forces remain on high alert as investigations continue into both the stabbing and the subsequent riots. Authorities have urged residents to avoid spreading unverified content online and to allow police to handle the ongoing investigation.

The situation in Belfast remains tense, with officials warning that further unrest could occur if calm is not restored quickly.