Southport stabbing latest: Third child dies after fatal knife attack as Taylor Swift posts tribute to victims

Three young girls have now died following yesterday’s tragic knife attack at a children’s dance class in Southport.

Merseyside Police confirmed that a nine-year-old girl died in the early hours of Tuesday morning, following the deaths of two other girls, aged six and seven, after Monday morning’s attack.

Eight other children suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition, alongside two adults who were critically injured.

The tragedy unfolded at a fully booked Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop on Hart Street, which quickly became something “like a horror movie”, witnesses to the stabbings have said.

Taylor Swift has paid a moving tribute, as she said she was “at a complete loss” after the “horror attack”.

She wrote on her Instagram story: “These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”

Armed police detained 17-year-old boy from Banks and seized a knife in connection with the stabbings, which is not suspected to be terror-related. Merseyside Police said the motive is currently unclear, and the teenager remains in custody.

Have you been affected by this incident? Email athena.stavrou@independent.co.uk