Famed Notting Hill Carnival Terrorized by Men With Giant Knives, 8 Stabbings, 275 Arrests

London’s famous Notting Hill Carnival reached its highest level of stabbings in seven years as men with knives, 275 arrests, and several hospitalizations marred the two-day spectacle.

The event, which took place from Aug. 27 to 28, attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees on the streets of England’s capital, and features live music, performances, and entertainment.

Over 2 million attended this year’s annual festival, which has earned its stripes as Europe’s largest street party and one of the world’s biggest celebrations of Caribbean music and culture.

But despite its joyous nature, violent riots and vicious attacks plagued festivities, leaving eight people stabbed as a 29-year-old man remains in critical condition.

Videos circulating on social media show groups of young people running down a street dressed in black and wearing ski masks Monday night.

Video posted on TikTok from the Notting Hill Carnival in London captured a scary scene where a person is running through the street with a machete. The annual event has concluded with eight being stabbed & 275 arrested for offenses including sex crimes, possession of weapons,… pic.twitter.com/fLA7HEoALi

— Andy Ngô 🏳️‍🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) August 29, 2023

One individual appears to be waving a large machete as police on horseback chase after the group.

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Seventy-five officers were attacked during the festival, including six bitten, one sexually assaulted, and one hospitalized, London’s Metropolitan Police said.

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The annual carnival has been taking place in London’s Notting Hill since 1966 and continues to serve as a way of showing solidarity within the growing Caribbean communities in the British capital.

The street festival is the UK’s largest celebration of culture, diversity, and inclusivity, featuring vibrant costumes, music, dancing, and food, and comes second only to Brazil’s Rio Carnival in size.

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