Belfast plunged into chaos as vehicles set ablaze following stabbing attack

Vehicles were set ablaze in Belfast on March 13, 2024, following a stabbing attack that prompted protests and escalated into riots. The unrest occurred in the Shankill Road area, a predominantly Protestant neighborhood. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan stated that the violence was linked to a stabbing incident earlier that day. During the riots, at least one police vehicle was attacked and set on fire. McEwan reported that officers faced a hostile crowd, with petrol bombs and other projectiles being thrown. The PSNI deployed specialist public order teams to manage the situation. The violence disrupted local services and caused significant damage to property. Authorities condemned the rioting, emphasizing that it did not reflect the views of the wider community. The stabbing victim's condition was not immediately disclosed, but the incident served as a catalyst for the subsequent disorder.