A coroner who formally opened inquests into the deaths of three young girls stabbed in the Southport attack has said it is “impossible to adequately articulate the devastating, lifelong effects” of what had happened. Bebe King, six, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died after being stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July. On Wednesday the senior coroner, Julie Goulding, said the opening and adjourning of the inquests was a “short, sombre, formal process” which would allow the criminal process to take place. No family members were present for the hearing at Bootle town hall which lasted about 15 minutes. Goulding said: “It is impossible to adequately articulate the devastating, lifelong effects the truly tragic events of Monday 29 July 2024 have had, and will continue to have, on the parents, families and friends of Elsie, Bebe and Alice, who cruelly lost their young lives in such horrific circumstances. “The three young children were full of life and energy and will be missed beyond any description my woefully inadequate words may attempt to describe. “I therefore offer my deepest condolences to Elsie’s, Bebe’s and Alice’s parents, families and friends, and those heartfelt condolences of all of my staff here at the coroner’s court.” Opening the inquest into Elsie’s death, the coroner’s officer James Martindale told the hearing: “On Monday 29 July, shortly before 10am, a group of 26 children, including Elsie, attended a dance yoga studio at Northwood Business Park, 32-34 Hart Street, Southport, for an organised dance party. “At some time between 11.40am and 11.50am a male, who has now been identified as Axel Rudakubana, attended the premises and is then alleged to have started attacking those present. “Three children tragically died and others, children and adult, were injured, some critically. “Axel Rudakubana was detained at the scene and has now been charged with Elsie’s murder.” He said Elsie’s death was pronounced at 1.53pm at 32-34 Hart Street and she was identified by a police officer using a description of the clothing she was wearing and a recent photograph. The same description of the incident was read for Bebe and Alice. The hearing was told Bebe was pronounced dead at 1.03pm, outside 22-24 Hart Street, down the street from the dance studio, and she was also identified by a police officer. Alice was pronounced dead at 1.20am on Tuesday 30 July at Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool. She was identified by her father, Sergio Aguiar. Five other children and two adults were seriously injured in the attack. On Tuesday, Alder Hey hospital confirmed that all the children who had been in its care had been “safely discharged home”. Merseyside police said one child remained in a different hospital. Rudakubana, 18, from Banks, Lancashire, will stand trial next year after being charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place.