MANCHESTER — Two people were killed and three others were seriously wounded in an apparent car and knife attack outside a synagogue in Manchester on Thursday, according to authorities.
Units first responded to calls about a vehicle being driven at pedestrians, Greater Manchester Police said in a statement.
"Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 9:31 am (10:31 am CEST) by a member of the public, stating he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public, and one man had been stabbed," the statement said.
Authorities first reported four people were injured "by both the vehicle and stab wounds," but the number of victims was later amended.
The police said the suspect was shot prior to gaining access to the building. He was also believed to be dead, according to the police. Bomb experts were called in to investigate whether the attacker also had an explosive device.
The authorities have declared Operation Plato, which is a set of emergency responses to "marauding terrorist attacks".
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told the BBC that this was a "serious incident" that was dealt with "effectively" by the police and people on site.
The attack happened as the Jewish community marked Yom Kippur, with many of the faithful gathering at synagogues in what is a solemn day of fasting and reflection.
"I’m appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall," UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement on Thursday.
"The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific," he added.
Starmer was attending the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen, but is now set to return home early. He has called for an emergency government meeting over the Manchester attack, according to reports.
"Extra police assets" will be deployed at synagogues across the UK, Starmer said before returning from Copenhagen. "We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe." — Euronews
