Sixteen arrests were made and 12 police officers injured during a second night of disorder in Northern Ireland on Wednesday, with the PSNI firing 20 attenuated energy projectiles (AEPs) and deploying water cannon to quell violence.

The most serious trouble flared in Glengormley, outside Belfast, where officers came under sustained attack on the Antrim Road. Rioters threw flares and masonry, set a bin lorry, a car and a vacant building alight, and pushed a hijacked van towards police lines. Seven arrests were made in that area. In Portadown, a property in Carleton Street was attacked around 9pm, with disorder lasting several hours. One officer was injured there and five arrests were made. Other incidents included masked males blocking West Circular Road in Belfast and bins set on fire on the Tullyalley Road in Derry.

A rioter set himself on fire in Portadown while attempting to throw a petrol bomb, and a Department for Infrastructure depot at Sandyknowes was broken into, with a vehicle torched. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service received 82 emergency calls and attended 33 incidents, including vehicle, house, and derelict building fires.

The violence followed Monday's knife attack in north Belfast. Stephen Ogilvie, aged 44, sustained serious injuries including the loss of an eye. His family said his condition is improving and he may be brought out of a coma within 24 to 48 hours. Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese national, appeared in court charged with attempted murder, threats to kill an NHS radiographer, and possession of a knife. He was remanded in custody for four weeks. A district judge warned anyone planning further disorder should expect to go to prison.

Mr Ogilvie's family issued a statement expressing disgust at the disorder and appealing for peaceful protest only. They said migrants make a valuable contribution to the country and the attack should not divide communities.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said those involved in violence faced long prison sentences. He confirmed 200 mutual aid officers from other UK forces were being deployed. The PSNI released images of people they want to identify in connection with Tuesday's unrest.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn described the scenes as racially motivated thuggery, while Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins condemned the depot break-in as disgraceful. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said rioters were destroying their own communities.

A nurse was chased by masked individuals on her way to work at the Ulster Hospital. The Royal College of Nursing reported some international staff were afraid to leave their homes. Public transport was suspended on Wednesday evening as a precaution.

An 18-year-old man was charged with riot after two officers were injured by a petrol bomb in Carrickfergus on Tuesday. Two further people were charged following Wednesday's disorder: a 28-year-old man with failing to remove a disguise and resisting police, and a 24-year-old woman with disorderly behaviour and possession of an article with intent to cause damage. Both were due before Lisburn Magistrates' Court.

Peaceful protests also took place at Stormont, in Newtownards, and in Coleraine. Police said that while peaceful protest is legitimate, the violence bore no resemblance to it, and they urged community leaders to help restore order.