Masked groups set fire to homes and vehicles across Belfast on Tuesday night in a wave of anti-immigrant violence triggered by a knife attack allegedly carried out by a Sudanese national.

Hundreds of protesters, many concealing their identities, clashed with police and rampaged through several neighbourhoods in Northern Ireland after footage of the stabbing circulated widely online. The attack left a man with serious injuries to his neck and head.

Homes Targeted, Families Forced To Flee

Several residential properties were attacked and set on fire during the unrest. Television footage showed police officers helping residents escape from a burning home as flames spread through parts of the city.

Community leaders and local politicians said many of the victims belonged to Black and minority ethnic communities.

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill strongly condemned the violence.

“There can be no excuse and no justification for these attacks,” she said. “Groups of masked men burning families out of their homes is nothing less than disgusting cowardice.”

Knife Attack Sparks Anger

The unrest followed a stabbing in north Belfast late on Monday. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the attack as “sickening”.

Police have charged a 30-year-old Sudanese man with attempted murder, possession of a bladed weapon in a public place and making threats to kill. He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court.

According to police, the victim, a man in his 40s, suffered severe facial injuries, including wounds near his eyes, along with slash wounds to his face and back. Officers recovered a kitchen knife at the scene.

Video footage showed members of the public intervening before police arrived. Senior officers later credited them with helping save the victim’s life.

Political Leaders Warn Against Exploiting Tensions

Northern Ireland Justice Minister Naomi Long warned that extremist voices had sought to exploit public anger over the attack by targeting entire communities.

She urged people not to allow legitimate concerns to be manipulated by those seeking to inflame racial tensions.

“We know the damage that can be done when whole groups of people are demonised because of the actions of an individual,” she said.

Claire Hanna, leader of the opposition Social Democratic and Labour Party, described the violence as a “race-based pogrom” and criticised online figures who had amplified tensions before moving on.

Vehicles Burned Across The City

As darkness fell, groups of youths gathered at several locations around Belfast. Police deployed armoured vehicles in an effort to contain the disorder.

Cars were set alight in multiple areas, while a bus was engulfed in flames in east Belfast. Reports also emerged of crowds attacking homes by smashing windows and forcing entry.

Pastor Jack McKee told local media that residents appeared to be targeted because of their ethnicity.

Social Media Fuels Debate

The violence quickly drew attention online, with prominent figures weighing in on Britain’s immigration policies.

Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk reposted messages criticising the UK’s immigration system and endorsed calls for continued public protest following the attack.

Smaller demonstrations linked to the incident were also reported in London and other parts of Britain.

The unrest comes amid wider tensions over immigration and follows similar disturbances in Northern Ireland last year after allegations of a sexual assault. Charges against two boys arrested in that case were later dropped.

(with inputs from Reuters)