London— Police said two people died and three other members of the public were seriously wounded in what appeared to be a vehicle and stabbing attack outside a synagogue in the northern English city of Manchester on Thursday. The incident comes as Jewish people around the world mark the holiday of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar.
Police said the suspect was shot by firearms officers and appeared to also have died. A bomb disposal unit was deployed to the scene.
The Manchester Evening News, a local newspaper, cited police as saying the suspect did not gain access to the building and was shot at the scene by armed officers. It said specialist counterterrorism officers were also on the scene.
“It’s a serious incident I have to say,” Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told CBS News’ partner network BBC News earlier in the day. “I would say to people to avoid the area, because it’s a serious incident, but at the same time I can give some reassurance that the immediate danger appears to be over.”
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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 (4:31 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.”
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.”
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