Two people were killed and eight others injured after an horrific overnight car crash in west Belfast.
The victims were travelling in a white Vauxhall Cavalier car which was in violent collision with a white Mercedes taxi on the Falls Road at around 2 am near St Louis' Comprehensive school.
Two people were in a critical condition in hospital, three people were seriously injured and three others were in a stable condition after the collision.
Firefighters had to use cutting equipment to free the victims from the wreckage.
A section of the Falls Road between the Glen Road and Whiterock junction was closed to traffic.
Sinn Féin Assembly member Michael Ferguson said people attending mass on the Falls Road today were shocked at the road tragedy.
"Everyone I have spoken two this morning as they went to or returned from mass on the road are just horrified," the West Belfast MLA said.
"We are in the mouth of Christmas and are all preparing for celebrations and the thought of this dreadful news being brought to someone's home doesn't bear thinking about.
"I know that all of our prayers and thoughts are with the families of those who have died and anything and everything we can do to support them we will do."
PA