The unfolding of the Manchester synagogue attack.
Armed officers responded to an attack at 09:34 after a member of the public alerted the police.
Two people were killed, and a suspected terrorist was shot dead by police after a car was driven at pedestrians outside a synagogue in Manchester. The attack occurred outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Middleton Road in Crumpsall, leaving three others seriously injured.
The incident took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, in an area of north Manchester with a significant Jewish community.
Greater Manchester's mayor, Andy Burnham, provided live updates from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) as the events unfolded. A member of the public reported the incident at 09:31, leading to the deployment of firearms officers at 09:34.
Shots were fired by GMP officers at 09:38, hitting a man believed to be the suspect. The police declared a "Plato" response at 09:37, following protocols for large-scale incidents like terrorist attacks.
Eyewitnesses described the attacker's actions, with one witness mentioning the suspect wielding a knife and attempting to enter the synagogue. Paramedics arrived at the scene at 09:41 to attend to the injured.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed shock at the attack, especially on Yom Kippur, and chaired an emergency meeting in response. The suspect, who was shot by armed officers, was later confirmed dead.
Counter-terrorism police declared the incident a terrorist attack and confirmed two arrests related to the case. Greater Manchester Police reported that two members of the Jewish community were killed, and four others were seriously injured.
Following the attack, additional police presence was promised at synagogues across the UK. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed solidarity with the UK, emphasizing the need to combat terrorism.
The suspected attacker was identified as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent. Three individuals were in custody on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses, while two men were pronounced dead, and three others were hospitalized with serious injuries.