A horrific attack unfolded on Thursday morning outside a synagogue in Manchester, northwestern England, leaving four individuals injured. Authorities confirmed that the incident involved a vehicle ramming and a stabbing, with the suspected assailant subsequently shot by police.
Law enforcement officials quickly clarified that the suspect was prevented from entering the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue. The current conditions of both the injured individuals and the suspect have not yet been released.
This distressing event occurred on Yom Kippur, a profoundly sacred day in the Jewish calendar, when synagogues typically welcome a significant number of worshippers.
Greater Manchester Police reported that emergency services were alerted at 9:31 a.m. after a civilian reported witnessing a car deliberately driven into pedestrians, followed by a man being stabbed.
Within minutes, at 9:38 a.m., armed officers arrived at the scene, and the suspect was shot.
The victims sustained a range of injuries from both the vehicle and the stabbing, as detailed in the police statement.
The North West Ambulance Service has since declared this a major incident, with multiple emergency crews actively on site.
Please note: This is an evolving situation, and we will provide further updates as they become available.