Fatal 'stabbing' at Leith flats: Everything we know so far as man dead and one arrested
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Everything we know as man dead and 33-year-old man arrested following fatal disturbance in Leith
A major police investigation is underway in Edinburgh after a man died following a severe altercation in the Leith area of the city on Sunday evening.
A suspect is currently in custody, and a significant section of the area remains cordoned off.
Here is a breakdown of what we know about the incident so far:
The Incident
The incident occurred on Sunday, July 5. A fight reportedly broke out around 9:30pm near a bus stop on Henderson Street, directly opposite Cables Wynd House (often referred to locally as the Banana Flats).
Emergency services found a man at the scene with serious injuries. He was rushed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh but died a short time later.
‘A loud disturbance’
One local resident said he heard a loud disturbance on Henderson Street – which runs parallel to Cables Wynd House – around 9:30pm.
He said that within the next hour between 25 and 30 police vehicles arrived, accompanied by ambulances.
In videos seen by the Evening News, a heavy police presence is accompanied by armed officers around Henderson Street in Leith. Video filmed later in the evening then showed a forensics team at the scene.
‘Sad and worrying’
Leith Councillor Katrina Faccenda said: "Sad and worrying news about last night’s police presence near Cables Wynd House, especially for those living in the vicinity."
Investigation and arrest
Police Scotland have confirmed the arrest of a 33-year-old man in connection with the incident.
Video footage from Sunday night showed a heavy police presence, including armed officers, followed by forensics teams operating within the cordoned-off areas on Henderson Street.
The investigation remains active as detectives work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the man's death.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9.40pm on Sunday, 5 July, 2026 police received a report of a disturbance outside Cables Wynd House, Edinburgh.
“Officers attended and a man was found with serious injuries.
“He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he died a short time later.
“A 33-year-old man has been arrested and enquiries are ongoing.”
Road closures on Henderson Street have continued into Monday morning.
Lothian Buses said that due to the closures, its buses were unable to serve Henderson Street. Services including the number 16, 34, 35 and 36 have been diverted away from the scene.
A Lothian Buses spokesperson said: “Due to a road closure buses are unable to serve Henderson Street, The Shore and Commercial Street and are instead diverted via Great junction Street and North Junction Street northbound only until further notice.”