Ramming attack on Liverpool fans: dozens of injuries report

Ramming attack on Liverpool fans: dozens of injuries report

Monday began as a day of celebrations for many in Liverpool, the lively, football -loving city in the northwest of England. However, it ended in panic and horror when A car rested and dozens of humans, including Also children, injured.

What happened in Liverpool?

The city of Liverpool was immersed in red on Monday, when hundreds of thousands of football fans populated the streets to see an open upper deck that the 20. Championship title of the club celebrated.

But shortly after 6 p.m. local time (1 p.m. et), concern began under the crowd. The Merseyside police announced that they had made an arrest, "according to reports that a car had collided with several pedestrians on Water Street."

pictures that were published online seem to show how the car was surrounded by fans and there was a conflict between the driver and members of the crowd. The vehicle then accelerated and raced from right to left over the street, offset people to the ground and caused a chaotic mess before it came to a standstill.

"It was extremely fast," said eyewitness Harry Rashid from the British news agency PA Media. "At first we only heard the noise when people were thrown off the car."

How many people were injured?

In the course of the next few hours, frightening details came to light. Almost 50 people were injured, including 27 who were taken to the hospital, and another 20 that were treated at the scene of the accident, the authorities shared at a press conference late Monday evening.

Four people, including a child, remained caught under the car and had to be saved by firefighters, Nick Searle, the chief of the fire brigade and ambulance of Merseyside, added.

On Tuesday morning, Liverpool’s Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram reported to the BBC: "There are still four people who are very, very seriously injured in the hospital."

However, there were initially no reports of deaths, which made hope germical that the worst had been averted.

Who is the suspect?

A 53-year-old man of British descent, which is considered the driver, was quickly arrested at the scene, said the police from Merseyside.

The man comes from Liverpool, added the police.

The officials described the collision as a "isolated incident" and stated that they were not looking for any further suspects and did not classify the incident as terrorism.

Why did the police announced the suspect's ethnicity?

The incident on Monday and the subsequent uncertainty aroused painful memories of another tragedy in the region: the cruel nibot of three young girls at a dance event inspired by Taylor Swift last year in the 20 miles north of Liverpool.

axel rudakubana, 18, admitted the killings and injured in the country shaken. He was sentenced to at least 52 years in January.

in the following days of anger and the confusion according to the incident false information Internet. Right -wing extremists spread a wrong rumor that the attacker was a migrant, which led to racist riots in which groups of protesting hotels attacked asylum seekers.

These events could have influenced the decision of the Merseyside police, which also reacted to the attacks in Southport, to make information about the suspect's ethnicity so quickly - an unusual procedure in the early phases of an examination.

"I have never experienced a case in which the ethnicity and breed of the person involved were released so quickly," said Dal Babu, the former Chief Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police in London, on Tuesday of the BBC. "I think that should dampen some speculations from the extreme right that continues to circle on X while we are talking."

Other factors could also have played a role - including the fact that terrorism was quickly excluded as a motive, which weakens some sensitives regarding the published information.

How did the football world react?

The trophy parade took place on a nationwide holiday, one day after Liverpool lifted the Premier League Cup after the last round of the games on Sunday.

In a short message, the association said that they were in contact with the police and added: "Our thoughts and prayers are among those who are affected by this serious incident."

A wave of support also came from the rest of the football community. Everton, Liverpool's bitter rival, broadcast A support message . Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher described it as a "devastating end of the day".

Jurgen Klopp, the former trainer of Liverpool, who took part in the parade on the open bus, said: "My family and I are shocked and destroyed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are injured and affected." You will never go alone, "added Klopp and referred to the famous song, which was from the Liverpool band Gerry and the Pacemakers in the year Was covered in 1963 and is now connected to the team and the fans who sing before every game. The lyrics were quickly shared via social media on Monday after the news about the incident.

What happens now?

The scene of the accident was quickly cordoned off. On Tuesday morning there was fireworks and other garbage on the closed road, remnant of a celebration that became a disaster.

"Liverpool stands together and the whole country is behind Liverpool," said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday.

The investigation into the causes and circumstances of the incident continues.

"I have no idea how the car got there," said local MP Kim Johnson to reporters at the scene of the accident. "The city council of Liverpool and our emergency services are learned in supporting these large events and protecting the public."