12.06.2025 13:10
In the town of Ballymena, Northern Ireland, racist attacks against immigrants have increased. A masked group of attackers set fire to a house and live-streamed the incident on social media. The assailants also torched a sports center, and those inside narrowly escaped with their lives. Authorities described the attacks as "organized racist violence against ethnic minorities and the police." Immigrant rights advocates have urged officials to take further action and protect refugee families in the area.
Recent racist attacks in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, have created terrifying moments for immigrants living in the area. A masked group of attackers shouted, "Foreigners go home!" as they set a house on fire, then live-streamed the incident on social media.
The attacks began after two 14-year-old boys of Romanian descent were accused of attempting to sexually assault a local girl. Following these events, incidents of violence against immigrants erupted in the region.
On Tuesday night, the Larne Sports Centre, which was opened to provide emergency shelter for immigrants, was set on fire by a group of about 12 people with their faces covered. The attackers broke windows and threw burning trash cans inside. Some people inside managed to escape through the back door just in time.
Fire crews that arrived at the scene worked hard to bring the fire under control. Authorities stated that families staying at the center had been safely relocated to another place before the incident.
As fear and panic increased in the region due to the attacks, some immigrants tried to protect themselves by hanging notes indicating their nationalities and English flags on their front doors. Notes with messages like "A Filipino lives in this house" began to appear frequently on the streets.
It was revealed that some of the demonstrators were organized through social media. In videos shared on TikTok, the attackers live-streamed themselves setting houses on fire. During one video, one of the attackers boasted, "I got over 2,000 views!" while celebrating the fire.
The police detained at least 5 people during the incidents. On Wednesday night, around 400 people gathered in the streets of Ballymena, attacking the police with fireworks, Molotov cocktails, and stones. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), which intervened in the events, tried to disperse the group using plastic bullets and water cannons. One protester was shot in the groin.
Deputy Chief Constable Ryan Henderson described the events as "organized racist violence against ethnic minorities and the police." Henderson announced that 80 police officers from other regions of England would be sent to the area for support.
Police officials announced that those involved in the incidents would be identified and brought to justice. Immigrant rights advocates called on authorities to take more measures and protect refugee families in the region.