30-7-2024 (LONDON) A savage knife attack at a children’s dance and yoga class has resulted in the deaths of two young pupils and left eleven others, including adults, with serious injuries.
The incident, described by witnesses as “like a scene from a horror movie”, unfolded shortly before noon at a local business that hosts various wellness activities. The class in question was a Taylor Swift-themed workshop for children aged 6 to 11, led by a yoga instructor and a dance teacher.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy reported that a 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. While the motive remains unclear, authorities have stated that the attack is not being treated as terror-related.
The aftermath of the attack was chaotic and distressing. Eyewitnesses recounted seeing bloodied children fleeing from the premises, their screams piercing the air of what is typically a tranquil neighbourhood. Bare Varathan, a local shopkeeper, described the horrifying scene: “They were in the road, running from the nursery. They had been stabbed, here, here, here, everywhere,” gesturing to various parts of his body.
Of the eleven injured, nine are children, with six in critical condition. Two adults, who reportedly attempted to shield the children from the attacker, are also fighting for their lives. Chief Constable Kennedy praised their bravery, stating, “We believe the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked.”
The incident has sent shockwaves through the nation, prompting responses from the highest levels of government. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as “horrendous and deeply shocking”, while King Charles III extended his “condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies” to those affected.
This brutal assault comes amidst growing concerns about knife crime in the UK. While mass shootings are rare due to strict gun control laws, knives were used in approximately 40% of homicides in the year leading up to March 2023.
