WASHINGTON (TND) – At least five people were stabbed and several others injured amid days of chaos in London, authorities said.
The Metropolitan Police said “unacceptable violence” erupted during the Notting Hill Carnival, which is a massive street festival held annually in the UK to celebrate Caribbean culture.
“We very narrowly avoided a fatality,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said in a police statement shared on social media.
By Wednesday, police said three men had been arrested in connection with the stabbing of a 32-year-old woman who was attacked while at an event with her child on Sunday. The woman, Adelekan said, remains in critical condition.
One of the suspects is facing charges of attempted murder.
He and two others appeared in court earlier. The police marked X. “They were remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey next month.”
Police said Monday that a second person who was stabbed was in “life-threatening condition.” The other people who were stabbed suffered minor injuries, police said.
Authorities also said they made hundreds of arrests stemming from the festival, from drug arrests to assault charges. They said they confiscated about 50 weapons, including knives and several guns.
Eight people were charged with what police described as “sexual assault,” with at least one report indicating that several people were raped in the incident.
“Carnivals are a community event and the vast majority of people come to party, dance, enjoy the music and have a great experience,” Adelekan said, adding that many officers were also attacked, but none of them was seriously injured.
Footage from what appears to be the festival was posted on social media, with a video apparently showing men and women gyrating in public. One person at X noted that the video showed men “pinning” women onto fences and bridges during the event.
Many people commented on the video saying it was inappropriate.
“This kind of chaos is not ‘festive fun’ – it’s a sign of serious problems,” another person wrote on X. “Time to ask who is allowing this madness to happen and why. Keep your eyes open and stand up for the culture yours.”
The authorities apparently expected chaos at the festival. They made it clear that this is not the first year they have faced problems at what is supposed to be a unifying event.
“We are tired of saying the same words every year. We are tired of telling families that their loved ones have been seriously injured, or worse. We are tired of seeing crime scenes at carnivals,” police said.
Plus, ahead of the celebrations, the London Ambulance Service advised the public to call them if anyone needed medical attention.
“Need medical help at #NottingHillCarnival? Look out for fixed first aid treatment centres,” according to one social media post.” We’ll be working closely with @stjohnambulance and @metpoliceuk to keep you safe. We have #TeamLAS medics stationed in areas on foot + bike so we can get to emergencies quickly.”
In 2022, a 21-year-old man was stabbed to death at the event.
Meanwhile, the police have asked anyone who has information about the crimes that took place in this event to contact the authorities immediately.
“The majority come to the carnival to celebrate and have a good time. Unfortunately, a minority sees it as a chance to commit crimes, including serious violence,” the police wrote on social networks.
