5 were stabbed, others were seen having sex and twerking in public

WASHINGTON (TN) — According to authorities, at least five people were stabbed and several others injured during a chaotic event lasting several days in London.

The Metropolitan Police said the “unacceptable violence” broke out during the Notting Hill Carnival, a huge street festival held in the UK every year to celebrate Caribbean culture.

“We narrowly avoided a fatal accident,” Deputy Police Commissioner Ade Adelekan said in a statement shared by police on social media.

As of Wednesday, police said three men had been arrested in connection with the stabbing attack on a 32-year-old woman who was attacked on Sunday while she was at the event with her child. The woman, Adelekan said, remained in critical condition.

One of the suspects is charged with attempted murder.

“He and two others have already appeared in court,” Police noted on X. “They have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at the Old Bailey next month.”

Police said Monday that a second person who was stabbed was in “critical” condition. The three other people stabbed suffered minor injuries, police said.

Authorities also said they made hundreds of arrests in connection with the festival, ranging from drug offenses to assault charges. They said they seized nearly 50 weapons, including knives and some pistols.

Eight people were charged with what police called “sexual offenses.” At least one report suggested that several people were raped at the event.

“Carnival is a community event and the vast majority of people come here to celebrate, dance, enjoy the music and have a fantastic experience,” Adelekan said, adding that several police officers were also attacked but none of them were seriously injured.

Footage from the festival was posted on social media, including a video that appears to show men and women cavorting in public. One person on X noted that the video shows men “mounting” women on fences and bridges during the event.

Many people commented on the video and said it was inappropriate.

“This kind of chaos is not 'festival fun' – it's a sign of serious problems,” wrote another person on X. “It's time to question who is allowing this madness and why. Keep your eyes open and stand up for your culture.”

The authorities had apparently expected chaos at the festival. They made it clear that this is not the first year in which they have faced problems at an event that was supposed to promote cohesion.

“We are tired of saying the same words every year. We are tired of telling families that their loved ones are seriously injured or worse. We are tired of seeing crime scenes at the carnival,” police said.

In addition, in the run-up to the celebrations, London Ambulance Service urged the public to call emergency services if anyone needs medical assistance.

“Need medical assistance at #NottingHillCarnival? Look out for the fixed first aid centres,” a social media post said. “We will be working closely with @stjohnambulance and @metpoliceuk to keep you safe. We have #TeamLAS medics deployed in the area on foot and by bike so we can get to the scene of an emergency quickly.”

Meanwhile, police urged anyone with information about the crimes committed at the event to contact authorities immediately.

“The majority come to Carnival to celebrate and have fun. Unfortunately, a minority sees it as an opportunity to commit crimes, including serious acts of violence,” police wrote on social media.