LONDON — Police have confirmed that two people have died, and three more are in a serious condition, following a “major incident” at a Manchester synagogue on Thursday morning.
Greater Manchester Police responded to reports of stabbings and a car being driven at members of the public at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.
It confirmed that one man, believed to be the offender, has been shot before they could enter the synagogue following the “quick response” of a member of the public.
The force added that the offender is believed to have died, but cannot be confirmed due to “safety issues [surrounding] suspicious items on his person.” GMP added: “The bomb disposal unit has been called and is now at the scene.”
Police declared operation PLATO in response to the incident, a set of responses used by emergency services in the UK to handle a range of incidents, including “marauding terrorist attacks”.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, told BBC Radio Manchester that the immediate danger — which took place on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur — is over and asked members of the public to avoid the area.
Responding to the incident on X, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “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.”
Starmer will return to London early from a meeting with fellow European leaders in Copenhagen to chair an emergency COBR meeting.
This story is being updated.
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