Two individuals have died following a car ramming and stabbing incident outside a synagogue in Manchester, England. Authorities report that a man, believed to be the attacker, was shot by police and is also thought to be deceased. The attack occurred on Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to the scene at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall shortly after 9:30 a.m. local time. Witnesses reported seeing a car drive toward members of the public, and one man was stabbed. Police later confirmed that shots were fired by firearms officers, stating, "One man has been shot, believed to be the offender."

A video verified by Reuters showed police shooting a man within the synagogue's perimeter, while another man lay on the ground, appearing to wear a traditional Jewish head covering.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his horror at the attack, stating, "I'm appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall. 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 that police would be deployed to synagogues across the country to ensure the safety of the Jewish community.

A heavy police presence was reported in the area, with ambulance crews seen in protective gear. At least one person was taken to an ambulance, and police indicated that a security guard had also been attacked with a knife. GMP stated that paramedics were treating four individuals for injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds.

Yom Kippur is a day when many Jewish people, including those who do not regularly attend synagogue, take time to pray. The Community Security Trust, a charity that provides security for Jewish organizations in Britain, condemned the incident as an "appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year."

Earlier this year, the CST reported that Britain experienced its second-worst year for antisemitism in 2024, with over 3,500 incidents recorded. This surge in antisemitism has been linked to rising tensions following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.