As investigations continue, authorities urge the public to refrain from sharing graphic footage and to avoid speculation about the motive behind the attack.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer posted a video, thanking first responders in Liverpool after a vehicle drove through a crowd full of fans during Liverpool F.C.’s victory parade.
“Scenes of joy turned to utter horror…” said Starmer, in a 42-second clip posted on X, titled “Liverpool stands together, and the whole country stands with Liverpool.” He assured he is kept updated and in frequent conversations with Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram.
Buckingham Palace has released a statement from the King, stating their emotions of shock, sadness and their sympathies. The statement comes at a time when the Royal couple are in Ottawa for the opening of the Canadian parliament. A statement from the Prince and Princess of Wales soon followed, expressing similar sentiments.
The incident took place on Monday at around 6:00 p.m. on Water Street, shortly after the team’s open-top bus had passed through the area. Merseyside Police confirmed that 47 people were injured, including four children.
Twenty-seven individuals were hospitalised, with two – one adult and one child suffering serious injuries, one child being lifted from beneath the car, Merseyside chief fire Nick Searle said. Soon after the news broke, there were attempts to portray this as a “terror attack”. Tommy Robinson, a far-right “activist” notorious for spreading hate online posted on X, reporting a “suspected terror attack” to which the Police have confirmed arresting the suspect – a 53 year-old white British man, asserting this incident is not being looked a from a terror lens, as sadly several conspirators would have liked.
Footballers and pundits also posted messages of solidarity for the victims and their families. Liverpool FC has offered “full support” to the authorities, they said on social media.
This unfortunate incident has reignited discussions over England’s toxic football culture. On the same weekend, reports came of London’s Trafalgar Square being littered with trash by Sunderland fans ahead of their playoff final, with complaints of public disorder, excessive drinking and catcalling.
As investigations continue, authorities urge the public to refrain from sharing graphic footage and to avoid speculation about the motive behind the attack.
