The Mayor of London said in a statement to mark the occasion: “I am delighted that Notting Hill Carnival will return to the streets of west London this weekend. “This community-led celebration of Caribbean history and culture has become one of the largest street festivals in the world and part of the very fabric of this city. “I urge everyone planning to attend the Carnival to arrive early to make the most of this wonderful celebration of our capital’s diversity.”
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An investigation has been launched after a police horse at the carnival collapsed and died at around 9pm, Scotland Yard said. The animal was given emergency care, but a force spokesman said it was too early to determine the cause of death. From 7.30 p.m. on Sunday, police made 38 arrests for offenses including assault, public order, sexual assault, drugs, possession of an offensive weapon, drink driving and theft. Separately, two people were slightly injured when a bus canopy collapsed. Online footage showed several revelers standing and dancing on its roof. A large crowd could be heard gasping and exclaiming in shock as the group crashed to the top of the shelter. Performers during the children’s parade (Victoria Jones/PA) / PA wire Farah Mokaddem, 32, traveled from Geneva to attend the Notting Hill Carnival. He said: “I’ve always wanted to go here. The atmosphere is very lively: everyone is on their balconies and on the terrace. And people of all ages watch as people go by.” Carina Charles said people were “ecstatic” about the carnival’s return after the pandemic. The 40-year-old nurse, from Basildon, said: “I like the company of people and the mix of cultures. “My Caribbean music, Soca music, is what I love the most.” He added: “Everyone is happy – they are excited to be out of lockdown after three years. “Everyone is ecstatic about the return of the carnival after the lockdown.” On Sunday morning, large crowds gathered for the J’Ouvert celebrations, where revelers sprayed each other with colored paints and powders to kick off the festivities. On Saturday night, more than 1,000 people gathered to watch the Panorama Steelband Competition. Revelers flocked to Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, west London, to watch a curtain call from five steel bands – Mangrove, Croydon Steel Orchestra, Ebony, Metronomes and Pan Nation. Defending champions Mangrove have won for three consecutive years and member Joelle Gardiner, 34, said: “It’s hard to put into words how good it would be to win tonight.” “I’ve been coming to the carnival since I was six or seven years old, watching people perform until I was old enough to join in.”
