Violent incident outside Manchester synagogue leaves 3 dead

British police reported on Thursday that a “major incident” occurred outside a synagogue in Manchester, where an attack involving a vehicle and a knife injured four people, and the suspect was shot by police.

According to Greater Manchester Police, the incident took place at 9:31 a.m. local time, coinciding with Yom Kippur, “the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar.”

Poltico reported that a citizen called the police to report a car driving toward a crowd and a man being attacked with a knife.

Police stated that the suspect was unable to enter the Heber Congregation Park Heaton synagogue, and four people are receiving treatment for injuries caused by the vehicle and the knife attack.

North West Ambulance Service also declared a “major incident” and was on the scene providing medical assistance to the injured.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, told BBC Radio Manchester that the immediate threat had been neutralized but urged residents to avoid the area.

Shortly after the initial reports, Greater Manchester Police confirmed that three people had been killed in the incident. It is believed that one of the deceased was the attacker.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was in Denmark, cut short his visit and is expected to attend a Cobra meeting regarding the incident.