The stabbing attack in Belfast

Houses on fire in Belfast: “They threw petrol bombs”

Several apartment buildings are on fire in Belfast, reports the BBC. Protesters have also smashed windows and set several cars on fire.

Residents of a house in the city center have been evacuated, writes AFP.

– More and more people came here, and they started throwing petrol bombs, says Eemran, who lives in the house.

The demonstrations began after a 30-year-old man from Sudan was arrested on suspicion of a brutal knife attack earlier in the day.

Northern Ireland's Justice Minister Naomi Long comes out and condemns the violent protests, saying that those who commit violent acts are turning people's genuine concern and anger into a bludgeon.

– There is no reason for masked thugs to take to the streets and threaten, intimidate and cause senseless harm. Hate must not win, she says.

Demonstrators set fire to bus in Belfast after stabbing

Massive demonstrations are underway in Belfast, Northern Ireland, after a man was attacked with a knife on Monday evening, the BBC reports.

Among other things, the demonstrators are said to have set fire to bins and a bus. Emergency services are on site to put out the fire. Public transport has been suspended until further notice, Translink reports.

Several of the demonstrators are wearing balaclavas, according to a BBC reporter on site. According to witnesses, they are throwing bricks at windows of residential buildings and firing rockets.

They are demonstrating against migration, as the man suspected of carrying out the attack is said to be from Sudan.

Victim's family thanks for the support - but condemns the violence

Relatives of the man who is being treated with serious injuries after the brutal stabbing in Belfast on Monday say that the incident has come as a great shock to the family, British media report.

“Our only priority is to be by his side and help him recover,” the family writes.

The arrested man comes from Sudan and has refugee status. The incident has led to strong reactions from politicians and in Belfast, among others, there were violent protests where vehicles and buildings were set on fire. A large part of the demonstrations have been critical of immigration.

The injured man’s family distances themselves from the violence and protests.

“We do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to divide or incite hostilities,” the statement says.