2 dead, four hurt in synagogue attack in England on Yom Kippur

Stabbing at Manchester synagogue Police and emergency responders help an elderly woman near the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, where multiple people were injured after a stabbing and car attack on Yom Kippur, on October 2, 2025, in the Crumpsall suburb of Manchester, England. Greater Manchester Police said they were called to the scene shortly after 9:30 AM, when a witness said the assailant drove a car at people and then stabbed someone. Police then shot the suspected attacker. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, U.K. — Two people were killed and four others were hurt in an attack on a synagogue in Manchester, England, on the holiest days of the Jewish year, Yom Kippur.

The incident happened after people gathered for the day of atonement at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, The Associated Press reported.

Services had begun at 9 a.m. and the attack was reported to police at 9:31 a.m. local time, according to The New York Times.

Deemed terror attack

Update 10:29 a.m. ET, Oct. 2: Police in Manchester are calling the attack a terrorist attack. They also said the alleged attacker is dead.

We can confirm three people have died, including the offender, who was shot by GMP Firearms officers,” Greater Manchester Police said, according to the AP. They said they believe that they know the person’s identity, “but for safety reasons at the scene we’re unable to confirm at this stage,” the BBC reported.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the attack, but police did not say how they were linked.

Officials also adjusted the number of injured, saying four, not three, were hurt in the attack. The number of deaths stands at two, CNN reported.

Original report: A neighbor of the Heaton Park synagogue said his wife saw a car driving erratically and crash into the gates.

“She thought maybe (the driver) had a heart attack,” Chava Lewin said. “The second he got out of the car, he started stabbing anyone near him. He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue.”

Two people were killed and three were listed in serious condition, according to police.

The alleged assailant was stopped from entering the building because a witness called police, The New York Times reported. A large number of people were inside worshipping and were kept inside, but were later evacuated.

The suspect was believed to be dead, shot by police, the BBC reported. But police were not immediately able to confirm his death because of “suspicious items on his person.” A bomb squad was called to the scene.

King Charles II released a statement saying that he and Queen Camilla were “deeply shocked and saddened” by the attack, “Especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community,” the BBC reported.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services.”

Prime Minister Kier Starmer said “additional police assets” will be sent to synagogues across the country.

“We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe,” he said.

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