A car and stabbing attack outside a synagogue in Manchester, UK, on Thursday left two people dead and three seriously wounded. The suspected attacker was shot and killed by police.
The incident occurred as the Jewish community was observing Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall neighbourhood just after 9:30 am, declaring a major incident and activating a national counter-terrorism response.
According to initial reports, a vehicle drove into people outside the synagogue and a security guard was attacked with a knife. Armed officers shot the suspected assailant at the scene. Police later noted that bomb disposal units were called due to “suspicious items” found on the suspect’s person.
Worshippers were initially held inside the synagogue for their safety before being evacuated.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the “horrific” attack, stating he was “appalled” and pledging to do everything to keep the Jewish community safe. He left a European summit to chair an emergency security meeting in London. King Charles III also expressed that he and Queen Camilla were “deeply shocked and saddened.”
The attack comes just days before the second anniversary of the October 7th Hamas raids on Israel, a period that has seen heightened tensions in Britain. Manchester is home to one of the UK’s largest Jewish communities. Local officials urged people not to speculate on social media and praised the swift police response and support from members of the public.
