A deadly synagogue attack in the UK city of Manchester has been declared a terrorist incident.
Two people were killed and anotherfour are in a serious condition after acar ramming and stabbing attack.
The suspect, who was killed by police at the scene, was seen wearing adevice around his waist. Police later confirmed this was not an explosive.
Two men and one woman are being held in custody in connection to the attack.
UK officials have named the suspect as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent.
Yom Kippur
The suspect drove into a crowd outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue at around9:30am on Thursday (local time). Hethen left his vehicle and started stabbing people, police said.
Worshippers had gathered for the start of morning services to mark the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, regarded as the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
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It’s a day when Jewish people fast (no food or drink) for nearly 25 hours and attend synagogue for prayers. Many congregants walk to and from synagogue in observance of the day.
Reactions
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer cut short a trip to Denmark to attendemergency meetings following the attack. He has announced increased security at Jewish sites across the UKfor the coming days.
“Earlier today, on Yom Kippur, the holiest day for the Jewish community, a vile individual committed a terrorist attack that attacked Jews because they are Jews, and attacked Britain because of our values”, Starmer said.
The UK’s Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, said the attack was “the day we hoped we would never see, but which deep down, we knew would come.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the attack.
“I send my condolences to the people of Manchester after the heinous attack on a synagogue on the mostsacred day on the Jewish calendar,” he said in a statement.
“There is no place for terrorism in our streets and all Australians stand with the UK at this dreadful time.”
