LONDON — At least eight people were transported to hospitals with stab wounds following a “major” incident in the United Kingdom, police and emergency officials said Monday.
Officers responded just before noon local time to reports of a stabbing at a property on Hart Street in Southport, a seaside town about 20 miles north of Liverpool, according to Merseyside Police.
“Armed police have detained a male and seized a knife. He has been taken to a police station,” the department said in a statement.
Police and emergency services arrive at the site where a man has been detained and a knife has been seized after a number of people were injured in a reported stabbing, in Southport, Merseyside, England, Monday July 29, 2024.
James Speakman/AP
The eight injured people were transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital, the North West Ambulance Service said on social media. The patients’ conditions and ages were not immediately released.
Thirteen ambulances had been dispatched to the scene, along with a Hazardous Area Response Team, an Air Ambulance and and Merit Doctors, emergency officials said.
Police secure the area, where a man has been detained and a knife has been seized after a number of people were injured in a reported stabbing, in Southport, Merseyside, England, Monday July 29, 2024.
James Speakman/AP
Officials at Alder Hey said they were “working with other emergency services to respond to this incident and our Emergency Department is currently extremely busy.” The Liverpool hospital said it had declared Monday’s stabbing a “major incident.”
“We ask parents to only bring their children to the Emergency Department if it is urgent,” the hospital said in a statement.
The town of Southport sits in the county of Merseyside, in the the U.K.’s northwest.
Police and emergency officials in the United Kingdom are currently responding to a major incident in which at least 8 people have been stabbed. The incident, which took place in a busy area of a city, has left residents and authorities shocked and concerned.
Details are still emerging about the incident, but reports indicate that multiple individuals were attacked by an unknown assailant or assailants. The victims have been rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, and their conditions are currently unknown.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police. They are also asking for anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist with the investigation.
The motive behind the attack is still unclear, and police are working diligently to gather information and apprehend those responsible. The incident has sparked fear and concern among residents, who are understandably worried about their safety in light of this violent act.
Incidents like these serve as a reminder of the importance of community safety and the tireless efforts of police and emergency officials to protect and serve the public. It is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activity, and work together to ensure the safety and security of their communities.
As more information becomes available, authorities will continue to provide updates on the situation. In the meantime, our thoughts are with the victims of this senseless act of violence, and we hope for their swift recovery.
