PM expresses ‘deep concern’ after England attack

Prime Minister Luis Montenegro expressed “deep shock” on Tuesday over the “indescribable” attack that took place in England on Monday and left three children dead, one of whom was Portuguese.

“It is with great shock that I learned of the horrific attack that took place yesterday in Southport, United Kingdom,” reads a post on the Portuguese Prime Minister’s official account on the social network X (formerly Twitter).

Luis Montenegro also expressed his “most sincere condolences” to the families of the victims, as well as to the British government and people “on behalf of the Portuguese Government and the Portuguese people”.

One of the children killed in Monday’s attack in Southport, UK, was a Portuguese citizen, the Secretary of State for Communities told Luce today.

Jose Cesario added that the Portuguese consul general in Manchester had already spoken to the child’s aunt and that the parents were “in shock and unable to get in touch”.

The official said the parents were from the autonomous region of Madeira.

A Portuguese child born on 15 October 2014 has been registered with the Portuguese Consulate in Manchester.

British police confirmed today that the attack, carried out by a 17-year-old man already in custody, left three children dead – in addition to the Portuguese girl, aged nine, the others were aged six and seven.

Eight more minors were injured in the attack, two of whom were seriously wounded, and two adults were also hospitalized in serious condition.

The children were taking part in an event at a dance school inspired by American artist Taylor Swift when the suspect entered armed with a knife and began attacking the children.

The adults were injured while trying to “courageously” protect the children from the attack, police said.