Charles III meets survivors of Southport attack, sparking recent riots

The British monarch spent about 45 minutes with the children who survived the attack. He is also due to speak to the families of the three girls killed in London.

An expected trip. King Charles III went to Southport on Tuesday, August 20, where he met children who survived the knife attack in which three little girls were killed at the end of July, and which led to several days of riots in England. Upon his arrival in this city in the northwest of England, the king stopped in front of the flowers and stuffed animals left in front of the town hall in memory of the victims. He greeted the public who came in large numbers, including many children.

Charles III spent about 45 minutes with the children who survived the attack, which happened on July 29 during a dance class inspired by American pop star Taylor Swift. Three girls, aged 6, 7 and 9, were killed. Eight other children were injured, as were two adults who were trying to protect them. All have now been released from hospital. A suspect, who was 17 at the time of the attack and is now an adult, was arrested at the scene.

The king is also expected to meet with the families of the three girls killed in London on Wednesday, according to the British PA news agency. The king, who had been under pressure to speak out about the violence, was expected to visit “express support for those affected by the July 29 attack and the subsequent riots in the city”as well as to thank the emergency services and law enforcement.

During his visit, Charles III, who is currently on holiday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, met with representatives of the emergency services, police, fire brigade and local community groups, including religious representatives. The day after the girls’ murder, violent clashes between protesters and police broke out in Southport, particularly near the local mosque, which was targeted.

A week of racist and Islamophobic riots followed in cities across England and Northern Ireland, fuelled by far-right agitators amid online rumours about the suspect, initially reported as a Muslim asylum seeker who had arrived by boat. He turned out to be a teenager, Axel Rudakubana, born in Cardiff, Wales, to a family that, according to media reports, originated from Rwanda, a largely Christian country. His motives are unknown, but the terrorist lead has not been investigated.