Image: x.com/EndWokeness
A brutal video from Belfast shocked millions of people and sparked racist riots within hours. Claims spread on social media that the perpetrator tried to behead his victim. This has not been confirmed, however. However, the images explain why emotions ran so high in Northern Ireland.
June 10, 2026, 4:50 p.mJune 10, 2026, 4:50 p.m
These are scenes that many viewers describe as almost unbearable. The video shows a man sitting on a bloodied victim in the middle of a street and repeatedly stabbing the victim’s head and neck area with a knife. As the attack continues, some passers-by raise their cell phones. Others initially don’t dare go near the perpetrator.
Later, passers-by intervene and hit the perpetrator with a bat to separate him from the victim.
Within hours, the recordings had spread millions of times on social media. Numerous users wrote on X, Telegram, Facebook and TikTok that the attacker tried to cut off his victim’s head. The police have not yet confirmed such a classification. But one thing is clear: the images caused shock, anger and fear in Great Britain.
Victim loses eye
The victim is a 40-year-old man who comes from Northern Ireland and lives in Belfast. It was revealed in court on Wednesday that he lost his left eye in the attack. The right eye was also injured. He is still in the hospital.
The alleged perpetrator is a 30-year-old Sudanese man. He was charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon and threats to kill.
The extent of the destruction on the streets of Belfast is enormous.Image: x.com
The video spread faster than the information
While investigators initially released little information, the video was already circulating in countless chat groups and social networks. Politicians and security experts see this as a decisive reason for the subsequent escalation.
Many people saw the pictures first and only then found out who the perpetrator was or what exactly had happened. On social media, confirmed facts mixed with speculation. At the same time, right-wing extremist activists spread calls for protests.
A large gathering of masked men parades through the streets of Belfast.image: x.com/TheLiberal_ie
Foreigners became targets
Hundreds of people gathered in Belfast the evening after the crime. What started as a protest quickly developed into serious riots.
Masked groups marched through the streets, blocked traffic routes and set vehicles on fire. People with a migration background were particularly affected. Several residential buildings were attacked because foreign families lived there.
An African family was forced to leave their home after their house was attacked. A Ukrainian family also fled their apartment. A two-month-old baby was brought to safety by police from an affected area.
Shops with foreign-sounding names were attacked.Image: keystone
Fear spreads
The violence has unsettled many migrants in Northern Ireland. Representatives of various communities report that people with dark skin or foreign accents rarely leave their homes for fear of attacks.
The riots have since spread to other parts of Great Britain. There were demonstrations and incidents in several cities.
The attitude of the victim’s family is remarkable. She expressly distanced herself from the riots and stated that the act should not be used to incite hatred against foreigners. The focus must be on the recovery of the victim. (mke)