Southport stabbing latest: First victim named as nine-year-old Alice Aguiar as others still fighting for lives

A nine-year-old girl killed in yesterday’s tragic knife attack in Southport has been named as Alice Aguiar.

Friends and family paid tribute to the young girl, who became the third victim of the attack, as she died in hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Two other girls, aged six and seven, have also died. Eight other children suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition, alongside two adults who were critically injured.

A woman believed to be her auntie, Carina Aguiar, paid tribute to Alice on Facebook. Sharing the news of her death, she said: “Princess Alice..... rest in peace..... fly so high... and look at daddy and mommy who mourn your tender absence so much.”

Portuguese officials also confirmed to local media that she was a Portuguese national, and that her parents were originally from Madeira.

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

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