Three people, including the suspected perpetrator, have died in an attack at a synagogue in England on Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, British police said.

Police said an assailant drove a car into pedestrians and stabbed a security guard near the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police said the suspect, who was believed to be carrying a bomb, was shot dead after they rushed to the scene in the Crumpsall district of the city in northern England.

A video shared on social media and verified by Reuters showed police shooting a man inside the synagogue’s perimeter, while another man lay on the floor in a pool of blood, appearing to wear a traditional Jewish head covering.

"He has a bomb, go away!" an armed police officer shouted to onlookers as he tried to wave away members of the public.

Three others were in a serious condition.

After the attack, police were seen ushering a large group of mostly Jewish elderly men – some in tears, many looking shocked – away from the synagogue. Some were wearing white robes, others were in suits and wearing a skullcap.

"I'm appalled by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said as he rushed away early from a European political gathering in Copenhagen to return to Britain to chair an emergency meeting.

"The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific," Starmer said.

Police said a large number of people had been worshipping inside the synagogue at the time and the building had since been evacuated.

"We are grateful to the member of the public whose quick response to what they witnessed allowed our swift action, and as a result the offender was prevented from entering the synagogue," a police spokesperson said.

Britain's King Charles said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" to learn of the attack, "especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community".

A neighbour, Chava Lewin, said she had been told that the car had been driving erratically before crashing into the gates of the synagogue.

"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," she told British media. "Someone barricaded the door. Everyone is in utter shock."

Starmer said that additional police were being deployed to synagogues across the country, adding "we will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe". (Reuters)
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Last updated: 2025-10-02 HKT 21:39