Two people have been killed and three are in a serious condition after an assailant drove a car into people outside a synagogue in northern England and then began stabbing them.
Police also shot and killed the suspect, however it took them time to confirm his death due to concerns he was armed with an explosive, Greater Manchester Police said.
British counter terror police later confirmed two other people had been arrested in relation to the attack, and publicly declared it a terror incident.
The attack took place as people gathered at an Orthodox synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Two people have died after an attack near a synagogue in north Manchester. (Reuters: Phil Noble)
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable, Sir Stephen Watson, said both victims were members of Manchester’s Jewish community.
He said the offender was shot by armed officers within seven minutes of the attack beginning, thanking members for calling authorities.
“This allowed the quick response from our officers who were able to act swiftly and bravely to bring this horrendous attack to an end.”
Sir Stephen said security staff and worshippers prevented the suspect from gaining access to the synagogue.
Officers were called to the scene at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall district of the city on Thursday morning, local time.
A bomb disposal technician could be seen working on a bag near to where the suspect was shot dead. (Reuters: Hannah McKay)
Police responded after a witness said a car had rammed members of the public and that one man had been stabbed.
After the attack, police were seen ushering a large group of mostly Jewish elderly men — some in tears, many looking shocked — away from the synagogue.
Police said there was no ongoing risk to the public following the incident.
Following the incident, pictures showed the suspect dead on the ground, with a knife and bag near their body.Â
A bomb disposal technician and robot could be seen working on the bag.
Starmer condemns ‘horrific’ attack
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” by the attack.
“The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific,” he said on X as he left a European political meeting in Copenhagen early.
Sir Keir has since assembled a COBRA meeting, gathering high-ranking members of the British government to coordinate a response to the incident.
The Metropolitian Police said it was boosting its presence around synagogues in London.
A video shared on social media and verified by Reuters showed police shooting a man inside the synagogue’s perimeter, while another man lay on the floor in a pool of blood, appearing to wear a traditional Jewish head covering.
“We are grateful to the member of the public whose quick response to what they witnessed allowed our swift action, and as a result the offender was prevented from entering the synagogue,” a police spokesperson said.
“We know today’s horrifying attack, on the Jewish community’s holiest day, will have caused significant shock and fear throughout all of our communities.”
Britain’s King Charles said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” to learn of the attack, “especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community”.
Emergency services at the scene of the attack. (AP: Peter Byrne)
Ambulance crews in protective body armour
There is a heavy police presence in the area, according to a Reuters photographer, with ambulance crews also seen in protective body armour and helmets.
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said it was a serious incident but told BBC radio that “the immediate danger appears to be over”.
Yom Kippur is the most sacred day on the Jewish calendar when even many non-regular synagogue-goers take time to pray and all road traffic stops in Israel.
Britain suffered its second worst year in modern times for antisemitism in 2024 with more than 3,500 incidents being recorded, reflecting sustained levels of hatred towards Jews, the Community Security Trust, a charity that provides security to Jewish organisations and institutions across Britain, said earlier this year.
Emergency personnel at the scene of the attack in north Manchester. (Reuters: Phil Noble)
Reported levels of antisemitism rocketed to record levels in the wake of the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel and Israel’s subsequent war in Gaza that has devastated the Palestinian enclave.
“This appears to be an appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year,” the CST said on X.
ABC/Wires