Violence erupted across parts of Northern Ireland on Tuesday night, with a public bus hijacked and set alight and dozens of other incidents reported. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it dealt with 62 callouts between 7pm and midnight, handling 256 calls during the same period.

A Glider bus was taken over in north Belfast and deliberately burned. The driver and a passenger escaped unharmed. Other attacks targeted homes, family cars and businesses across the city and beyond.

In Newtownabbey, petrol bombs were thrown, and a police car was set on fire in Portadown. A Turkish barber shop in Ballyclare was also attacked.

To meet demand, NIFRS deployed 21 additional fire appliances from outside Belfast. The service said its personnel acted professionally during a challenging night.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said the violence was totally unacceptable and condemned the targeting of public transport and roads. She said the destruction of the Glider had removed a vital service from communities that rely on it. She thanked Translink staff who had continued to work before services were suspended.

Translink said all bus and train services resumed on Wednesday morning, though some delays were possible.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said those involved were masking their faces to wreak destruction and were diverting police resources from people who genuinely needed help. She said the disorder was being used to spread fear and division.

A 30-year-old man from Sudan has been charged in connection with a knife attack in Kinnaird Street, north Belfast, which preceded the unrest. He faces counts of attempted murder, possession of a bladed article, and threats to kill. He is expected in court on Wednesday.

The violence drew condemnation from other political leaders, including UUP MP Robin Swann and Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd, who both said the destruction of property and intimidation were unacceptable.