At least two victims have died and four were seriously injured after a car and knife terror attack outside a synagogue in Manchester in the United Kingdom on Thursday, authorities said.
The deadly incident came on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar which ends later today, as people gathered at an Orthodox synagogue. The Metropolitan Police in London declared the assault a terrorist attack.
The two deceased victims were members of the Jewish community, police said. The other four victims were hospitalized with a variety of serious injuries. Paramedics arrived at the scene and were seen treating the victims.
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In a series of posts on X, Greater Manchester Police said officers were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue at about 9:30 a.m. after a vehicle was driven into pedestrians and at least one person was stabbed. Armed police declared a major incident and opened fire minutes later, killing the suspect.
Police said the suspect had the appearance of an explosive device on his body and the bomb disposal unit was called to the scene in suburban Manchester.
Video on social media showed police with guns pointed at a person lying on the tarmac beneath a blue Star of David on the brick building.
A bystander could be heard on the video saying the man had a bomb and was trying to push a button. When the man tried to stand up, a gunshot rang out and he fell to the ground, flopped on his back and then rolled onto his side.
“In response to today’s major incident in Crumpsall, a loud noise was heard at the scene as specialist resources gained entry to the suspect’s vehicle as a precaution,” Greater Manchester Police said.
A large number of people were worshiping at the synagogue at the time of the incident and police said that security staff and worshipers inside acted quickly to stop the terror suspect from gaining entry to the building. They were held inside while the immediate area was made safe but have since been evacuated, police said.
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson said in a televised statement that police believe they know the identity of the offender but that it would be “premature” to release his name.
Police said two suspects were arrested, though they provided no further information on the arrests.
A witness told media that he saw two men being detained on a road near the synagogue.
Police declared “PLATO,” a national code-word used by police and emergency services when responding to a “marauding terrorist firearms attack” or other large-scale incidents involving significant threats to public safety.
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Police later said there was no risk to the public.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson acknowledged the significance of the timing of the attack.
“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,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is returning early from a visit to Denmark and will chair what he called an “emergency meeting” in London with cabinet ministers and officials.
Starmer said additional police assets are being deployed at synagogues across the country.
“I’m appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall,” Starmer wrote on X.
“The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific. My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services and all the first responders.”
King Charles III and Queen Camilla said they were “deeply shocked and saddened” to hear about the attack in Manchester.
“Especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community,” King Charles said in a statement, per the BBC.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack.
“Israel grieves with the Jewish community in the U.K. after the barbaric terror attack in Manchester,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “Our hearts are with the families of the murdered, and we pray for the swift recovery of the wounded.”
Antisemitic incidents in the U.K. have soared following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and Israel’s ensuing military campaign in Gaza, according to Community Security Trust, an advocacy group for British Jews that works to eliminate antisemitism.
More than 1,500 incidents were reported in the first half of the year, the second-highest reported since the record set a year earlier.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
