Singer Taylor Swift says she is "completely in shock" after the death of three children attending a dance class inspired by her music in Southport, UK. Nine other people were wounded and six remain in critical condition.
ADVERTISEMENTFollowing the news that three children were killed and another nine people wounded after a stabbing attack in Southport, a seaside town near Liverpool, during a Taylor Swift-themed dance event, the singer has shared a message on Instagram about the deadly attack.
"The horror of yesterday's attack in Southport is washing over me continuously and I'm just completely in shock," she said. "The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and first responders. These were just little kids at a dance class.”
The message concluded: "I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families."
The tragedy, which took place at The Hart Space on Hart Street on Monday (29 July) has been described by MP for Southport Patrick Hurley as the “worst atrocity in living memory” to affect the area.
Hurley said: "The town is in mourning. The town is in shock. People know Southport, Southport is a quiet seaside coastal town, coastal resort. This has just sent shockwaves throughout the whole community."
Six of the injured remain in a critical condition.
A 17-year-old man from Banks in Lancashire, born in Cardiff, Wales, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Fans of Taylor Swift have also taken it upon themselves to raise more than more than £100,000 for the victims with a Just Giving page where people can contribute towards funeral costs and victim support.
The organiser, Cristina Jones, wrote: "We are working with Alder Hey Children's Hospital to help raise money for the families affected by the tragedy in Southport, and raising funeral funds for the two young Swifties who have tragically passed."
Since the news of the devastating attack, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a statement to the BBC: “I know the whole country is deeply shocked about what they’ve seen and what they’ve heard. I know I speak for everyone in the whole country in saying, our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their families, their friends and the wider community and it’s almost impossible to imagine the grief that they’re going through, and the trauma that they’re going through.”
“I do want to thank the emergency services and Merseyside Police who have had to respond to the most difficult of circumstances today.”
King Charles also issued a statement on social media, writing: “My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport today. We send our most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have so tragically lost their lives, and to all those affected by this truly appalling attack.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine wrote in a separate post: “As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through.”
They continued: “We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack. Thank you also to the emergency responder who, despite being met with the most horrific scenes, demonstrated compassion and professionalism when your community needed you most.”
