Manchester, England – A suspected terrorist attack at a synagogue in northern England left at least two people dead and several others injured on Thursday, after a man drove into pedestrians and stabbed a security guard during Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the attacker was shot dead by armed officers after he crashed his car into the gates of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall district of Manchester. The suspect was wearing what appeared to be an explosive vest, prompting fears of a bomb attack.
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A video verified by Reuters showed armed police firing at the man inside the synagogue perimeter, while another victim lay on the ground in a pool of blood, wearing a traditional Jewish skullcap.
Panic at the Synagogue
Witnesses described chaos as worshippers fled. “He has a bomb, go away!” one police officer shouted to onlookers moments before shots rang out. Neighbour Angela Crawshaw said she saw three officers with guns aimed at the suspect in the synagogue car park. “Then they did shoot, and he fell to the floor. He tried to get up again, and they shot him again. And then it was just panic … just noise and panic,” she told Reuters.
A bomb disposal unit was later deployed, and three small controlled explosions were heard. Police said at least one loud bang was linked to specialist teams gaining entry to the suspect’s vehicle as a precaution.
Terrorist Incident Declared
Britain’s senior counter-terrorism officer, Laurence Taylor, said the attack was being treated as a terrorist incident based on evidence gathered so far. Investigators believe they know the attacker’s identity but have not confirmed it publicly.
“Communities across the UK who would normally be marking this holy day are now grieving and worried about their safety,” Taylor said. “UK policing is mobilising — and mobilising fast.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer cut short a European summit in Copenhagen to return home and chair an emergency meeting. “We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe,” he said, confirming that extra police patrols had been deployed to synagogues across the country. “The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific.”
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
Police confirmed that, in addition to the suspect and two worshippers killed, three more people remain in serious condition. Dozens of worshippers were evacuated from the synagogue, many visibly shaken. Several elderly men in prayer robes and skullcaps, as well as children, were led to safety.
“There were a large number of worshippers inside at the time, but thanks to the bravery of security staff, worshippers, and the immediate response of police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access to the prayer hall,” said Stephen Watson, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police.
Reaction in the UK and Abroad
King Charles said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the incident. The Israeli embassy in London condemned the attack as “abhorrent and deeply distressing,” adding that it was in close contact with Manchester’s Jewish community.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity on social media: “France stands with Britain’s Jewish community.”
Rising Antisemitism
The attack comes against a backdrop of rising antisemitism across Europe since the Hamas assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s subsequent war in Gaza. Britain recorded its second-worst year on record for antisemitic incidents in 2024, with more than 3,500 reported cases, according to the Community Security Trust.
Attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions have also surged in Germany and France, fueling growing concerns about security for Jewish communities across the continent.
A History of Attacks in Britain
Britain has faced several terrorist incidents in recent decades, the deadliest being the July 2005 London bombings, which killed 52 people. More recently, the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing at an Ariana Grande concert killed 22, highlighting the ongoing threat of extremist violence.
Thursday’s attack, however, has rattled the country for its targeting of a place of worship during Yom Kippur. For many in the Jewish community, it has reignited fears over safety at religious gatherings.
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