London — Two Jewish people were killed and four other people were seriously injured in a terror attack outside a synagogue in the northern English city of Manchester on Thursday, authorities said. The vehicle and stabbing attack comes as Jewish people around the world mark the holiday of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar.
Police said the suspected attacker was shot by firearms officers and later died. A bomb disposal unit was deployed to the scene. Police said there was a loud noise as investigators gained entry to the attacker’s vehicle, but that there was no risk to the public.
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson described the two deceased victims as members of the area’s Jewish community, but he didn’t identify them. He also said four other people were hospitalized with a variety of serious injuries.
The attacker drove directly at people outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester and then attacked people with a knife, Watson said. The attacker wore a vest that looked like it contained an explosive device. The attack happened while a large group of worshippers were inside the synagogue.
“Thanks to the immediate bravery of security staff and the worshippers inside as well as the fast response of the police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access,” Watson told reporters. “All those inside were safely contained until police were able to confirm that it was safe to leave the premises.”
Laurence Taylor, the U.K.’s head of counterterrorism policing, told reporters that authorities believe they know the attacker’s identity but were unable to confirm it for safety reasons. Taylor also said two arrests had been made in the investigation, but he didn’t provide details.
“Today we have witnessed a vile attack on our Jewish community on its holiest day,” Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said in a statement. “We condemn whoever is responsible and will do everything within our power to keep people safe. We stand with GM’s [Greater Manchester’s] Jewish community at this time and will work through the day to support them.”
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In a statement, the Manchester police said officers were called to the synagogue at about 9.30 a.m. local time (4:30 a.m. ET) by a member of the public who said he’d witnessed a car being driven toward members of the public.
“Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 9.38am,” just minutes after the incident was reported, police said. “One man has been shot, believed to be the offender.”
Police said four members of the public sustained injuries “caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds.”
The local ambulance service said in a statement that a major incident had been declared in the area.
“Following reports of an incident on Middleton Road in Crumpsall, the trust has dispatched resources to the scene,” the ambulance service said. “We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services. Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”
“I’m appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall,” U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a social media post. “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.”
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Starmer, who was flying back to the U.K. early from a meeting in Copenhagen, said “additional police assets” would be deployed at synagogues across the country. He was expected to chair a meeting of the British government’s emergency COBR committee in London later on Thursday, the BBC reported.
“We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe,” Starmer said on his way back to the U.K.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the capital city’s Metropolitan Police service would be “stepping up high visibility policing in and around synagogues in London.”
“I know, as it is, Jewish people have been scared and feeling scared over the last few months, indeed, since October the 7th, 2023,” Khan said. “I also know many want to go to the synagogue and worship. I want to reassure them that in London they will be seeing additional police officers. People should be allowed to go about and practice their faith knowing they’re going to be safe. Unfortunately, too many Jewish Londoners, Jewish people across the country, Jewish people across the globe, don’t feel that way. And that’s heartbreaking.”
King Charles III said in a statement that he and Queen Camilla were “deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services.”
Alex Sundby
contributed to this report.
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