UK stabbing incident: Nine-year-old girl dies, toll climbs to 3

A nineyearold girl died on Tuesday in the ferocious UK stabbing incident in Southport northwest England taking the death toll to three after two children girls aged six and seven were killed on the spot reported news agency PTIFive others continue to fight for their lives as Merseyside Police detectives question a 17yearold male arrested on suspicion of murder to try and establish the motive behind the attack at a childrens dance workshop at Hart Street on Monday reported PTIThe police force on Tuesday reiterated the UK stabbing incident is not currently being treated as terrorrelated and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with it reported PTIIn its update on the investigation Merseyside Police said the third child died as a result of injuries sustained in the knife attack in the early hours of this morningEight other children suffered stab wounds during the attack five of whom remain in a critical condition Two adults are also in critical condition after being injured during the incident reported PTIA name has been shared on social media in connection with the suspect in the incident in Southport This name is incorrect and we would urge people not to speculate on details of the UK stabbing incident while the investigation is ongoing the police statement said concerning the suspect who remains in custody reported PTIThe children aged between six and 11 years were attending a summer holiday workshop themed around singer Taylor Swifts musicA 17yearold male from Banks in Lancashire who was born in Cardiff Wales has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and has been taken to a police station where he will be interviewed by detectives Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy told reporters giving details of what she said was a ferocious attack reported PTIIt is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender who was armed with a knife walked into the premises and started to attack those inside We believe that the adults who were injured were trying to protect the children at the time they were attacked she said reported PTIAs a mum of two daughters and the nanna of a fiveyearold granddaughter I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering the families of the victims are currently going through and I want to send them our heartfelt condolences and sympathies she added reported PTIThe royal family including King Charles Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales issued statements expressing their shock and sadness at the utterly horrific UK stabbing incidentWe 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 reads the Kings message reported PTIOn a personal note Prince William and Kate Middleton said that as parents they could not begin to imagineiquest what the families of the children were going throughBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the whole country had been deeply shocked by the attackI know I speak for everybody in the whole country in saying our thoughts and condolences are with the victims their families their friends and the wider community Its almost impossible to imagine the grief that theyre going through and the trauma that they are going through he said reported PTIOpposition Leader Rishi Sunak also expressed his shock over the horrendous attack and thanked the emergency services for their response reported PTISinger Taylor Swift has said the knife attack at a dance workshop themed around her music which left three children dead and nine more injured has left her completely in shock reported PTIPosting on Instagram the star said she was at a complete loss for how to convey her sympathiesShe said the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there had left her at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families reported PTIMeanwhile flowers notes and cards expressing an outpouring of grief have been piling up at the site of the attack a community centre used regularly by the locals including for mother and child events The local Labour MP Patrick Hurley said the community was waking up in shock and grief after the brutal stabbings and that a vigil is planned for Tuesday night in support of the victims and their families and friendsSeveral witnesses described horrific scenes as a knifeman launched the attack with bleeding children seen on the street as they ran out of the community centre to flee the attacker Horrorstruck and screaming parents were seen rushing about with locals trying to help the injured children The dance class is believed to have been fully booked with 25 young children in attendance reported PTIA police cordon remains in place around the scene at Hart Street in Southport a seaside town north of Liverpool referred to as MerseysideWith inputs from PTI