At least two people were killed in an attack near a synagogue in England on Yom Kippur, the most sacred day of the Jewish calendar. The incident occurred when an assailant rammed his car into pedestrians and stabbed a security guard, according to British police.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the suspect, believed to be carrying a bomb, was shot by officers who arrived at the scene at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall district of northern England, reports Reuters.
Police responded quickly after a witness reported the car crashing into members of the public, and one man being stabbed. Although the suspect was thought to be dead, police could not confirm this due to safety concerns over possible explosives on his person.
A bomb disposal unit was called to the scene.
A video shared on social media, verified by Reuters, shows police shooting a man within the synagogue’s perimeter. Another man, appearing to wear a traditional Jewish head covering, was seen lying on the ground in a pool of blood.
An armed officer can be heard shouting, “He has a bomb, go away!” as he attempted to clear the area.
In addition to the two fatalities, three other individuals were reported to be in serious condition. Following the attack, police escorted a group of elderly men, many visibly distressed, away from the synagogue. Some wore white robes, others suits and skullcaps.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his shock at the attack, particularly as it took place on Yom Kippur, calling it “horrific.” He returned early from a European meeting in Copenhagen to lead an emergency response.
The police said many worshippers had been inside the synagogue during the attack, but the building had been evacuated safely.
The rapid response of a member of the public who witnessed the attack allowed police to act swiftly and prevent the offender from entering the synagogue. A police spokesperson thanked the witness for their prompt action.
King Charles also expressed his sorrow, calling the attack “deeply shocking and saddening,” particularly given its occurrence on such an important day for the Jewish community.
Chava Lewin, a neighbor, described how the attacker drove erratically before crashing into the synagogue gates. “As soon as he got out, he started stabbing anyone near him,” she said. “He went straight for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue.”
She added that the door was barricaded by someone inside to stop him from getting in.
Starmer announced that additional police would be stationed at synagogues across the country to ensure the safety of the Jewish community. “We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe,” he said.
Yom Kippur is observed by Jewish people worldwide with reverence, and even non-regular synagogue-goers attend services. In Israel, all road traffic halts on this day.
The attack comes amid a rise in antisemitism in the UK, with 2024 marking the second-worst year for such incidents, according to the Community Security Trust.
This rise is linked to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has led to increased hatred toward Jewish communities.
Since the 2001 attacks on the US, the UK has experienced several attacks by Islamist militants, including the deadly 2005 London bombings. Far-right terrorism has also been a growing concern in recent years.
