In a shocking turn of events, two people were killed and three others critically injured on Thursday in a car-and-knife attack outside a crowded synagogue in Manchester. The assailant, believed to be the lone attacker, was shot dead by police.
The violence erupted as worshippers gathered at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.
Police immediately activated the UK’s national counter-terrorism protocol, declaring a “major incident” shortly after 9:30 a.m.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that paramedics treated victims for injuries caused by both a vehicle ramming and stabbing.
Officers fatally shot the suspect, but his death could not be formally confirmed after “suspicious items” were found on his body, prompting bomb disposal teams to intervene.
By afternoon, authorities confirmed two fatalities, with three others left in “serious condition.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who cut short his attendance at a European summit in Denmark, condemned the attack as “horrific” and pledged to strengthen security at synagogues nationwide.
“I am appalled,” Starmer said. “The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur makes it all the more horrific. We will do everything possible to keep our Jewish community safe.”
King Charles III and Queen Camilla expressed being “deeply shocked and saddened” by the incident, sending condolences to the victims’ families.
Israel’s embassy in London also condemned the attack as “abhorrent and deeply distressing,” urging Britain to guarantee the safety of Jewish communities across the country.
The assault, coming just days before the anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 raids on Israel, has inflamed tensions and heightened concerns over the safety of Jewish communities in the UK.
About the Author
