Two dead in attack at UK synagogue, suspect shot dead

Two people were killed on Thursday when a man drove a car into pedestrians and stabbed a security guard in an attack at a synagogue in England where worshippers were marking Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.

Greater Manchester Police said the suspect, who was wearing a vest that appeared to be an explosive device, was shot dead after officers rushed to the scene at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall district of the city in northern England.

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.

"He has a bomb, go away!" an armed police officer shouted to onlookers, just seconds before a gunshot rang out.

Neighbour Angela Crawshaw told Reuters she had seen three policemen aiming guns at a man in the car park of the synagogue, telling him: "Stay down, don't move or we'll shoot."

"Then they did shoot, and he fell to the floor. Then he tried getting up again and moving again, and they shot him again. And then it was just panic ... just noise and panic."

A bomb disposal unit was later called to the scene, and a Reuters witness heard three small explosions. Police confirmed that one loud bang was specialist officers gaining entry to the suspect's vehicle as a precaution.

Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer, Laurence Taylor, said the attack had been declared a terrorist incident based on what investigators knew, and that two people had been arrested.

He said investigators believed they knew the identity of the attacker but were not able to confirm it yet.

"Communities across the UK who would normally be marking this holy day are now grieving, and worried about their safety," he told reporters. "I want to be clear: UK policing is mobilising. And mobilising fast."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer rushed away early from a European political gathering in Copenhagen to return to Britain to chair an emergency meeting.

He said additional police were being deployed to synagogues across the country, adding: "We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe."

"The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific."

As well as the suspect and two members of the public who were confirmed dead, three other people were in a serious condition.

"There were a large number of worshippers attending the synagogue at the time of this attack, but thanks to the immediate bravery of security staff and the worshippers inside, as well as the fast response of police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access," said Stephen Watson, GMP's Chief Constable.

King Charles said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" while the Israeli embassy in London said on X the attack was "abhorrent and deeply distressing", and that it was in close contact with the Manchester Jewish community.

Another neighbour by the synagogue, Chava Lewin, said she had been told that the car had been driving erratically before crashing into the gates of the building.

"The second he got out of the car he started stabbing anyone near him. He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue," she told British media.

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.