Image: from Global Wire X @GlobalWireLive
By Open Chronicle with agencies
Belfast awoke on Wednesday to scenes of devastation after a night of violent unrest that left burned-out vehicles, shattered buildings, and frightened families forced to abandon their homes. The disturbances followed the stabbing of a local man, an attack that quickly ignited tensions over immigration and triggered some of the worst disorder seen in Northern Ireland in recent years.
The violence erupted after a man in his forties, identified by British media as Stephen Ogilvie, was seriously injured in a knife attack. Authorities later charged a 30-year-old Sudanese refugee, Hadi Alodid, with attempted murder, possession of a bladed weapon in public, and making threats to kill. During court proceedings, it was revealed that the victim lost an eye as a result of the assault.
Belfast:
Sparked after a Sudanese immigrant in his 30's attacked a local man in his 40s, anti-immigration rioters broke into public housing setup for immigrants and set them ablaze today.pic.twitter.com/MMC3jqTRv8
— AlphaFox (@alphafox) June 10, 2026
As news of the attack spread, masked groups gathered in several neighborhoods, setting fire to homes they believed were occupied by immigrants. Cars, buses, and rubbish bins were torched, while projectiles were thrown at police officers attempting to restore order.
Residents described chaotic scenes as flames engulfed entire streets. Jamie Corry, whose home was destroyed during the riots, said the fire spread rapidly after a nearby vehicle exploded.
“As soon as that car blew up, everything caught fire,” he said. “The house can be rebuilt, but the things with sentimental value are gone forever.”
Northern Ireland’s Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said officers carried out emergency rescues throughout the night, evacuating numerous families trapped by the unrest.
“We rescued many families, including a baby only two months old, and brought them to safety at local police stations,” he told the BBC.
Fear has spread among immigrant communities, many of whom now question whether it is safe to continue with daily life. Anselme Shima, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and living in Northern Ireland since 2013, said he was worried about sending his children to school.
“I have two children at home, and this morning I ask myself whether I can let them go outside,” he said.
According to the UK Home Office, Alodid arrived in Britain in 2023 after travelling through Paris and Dublin and holds a valid residence permit until 2028. Authorities stressed that he had not previously come to the attention of the police.
Videos of the stabbing circulated widely on social media despite official requests not to share the footage. Police warned that the graphic material could retraumatize those involved, but numerous accounts associated with self-described “patriotic” groups continued to distribute the images while calling for protests against what they described as mass immigration.
Officials have also accused far-right activists of exploiting the incident to inflame tensions. Some political figures have gone further, alleging that online rhetoric from high-profile personalities, including American billionaire Elon Musk, has contributed to increasing social divisions and encouraging hostility.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence, describing the scenes as “shocking and completely unacceptable.”
“People were targeted because of who they are and where they come from. I will not tolerate that,” the British leader wrote on social media.
In a notable intervention, the family of the stabbing victim also appealed for calm, rejecting attempts to use the incident to stir hatred against immigrants.
“We do not want this tragedy to be used to divide people or fuel hostility,” the family said in a public statement. “Peaceful protest is the only acceptable response. Many immigrants make an invaluable contribution to our country, including in healthcare and hospitality, and we rely on them every day.”
The family also thanked bystanders who intervened during the attack, saying their quick actions had likely saved the victim’s life.
Authorities have warned that further demonstrations are planned, raising fears of another night of unrest. As a precaution, schools and businesses in several areas have closed, bus and rail services have been suspended, and more than 200 additional police officers have been deployed across the city.
The disturbances come amid heightened political debate over immigration across the United Kingdom, an issue that has helped fuel the rise of the right-wing Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage. They also follow recent tensions elsewhere in Britain linked to controversial criminal cases and public anger over policing decisions.
While investigators continue to examine the stabbing itself, political leaders and community representatives are increasingly focused on preventing the violence from deepening divisions in a city that has spent decades trying to move beyond conflict.