Two people were killed and others were injured in an attack carried out by a man at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester on Thursday.

The attack came on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, disrupting activities in and around the synagogue.

The police confirmed the incident in a statement posted on X on Thursday, adding the attacker has been neutralised by its men.

“Greater Manchester Police can confirm two people have died following the major incident outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, Middleton Road, Crumpsall,” the police said. “A third person, a man believed to be the offender, was shot by GMP Firearms Officers and is also believed to be deceased.”

According to the police, the attacker had objects on his body, and the bomb disposal unit has been mobilised to the scene to help out with handling the corpse.

“It cannot currently be confirmed due to safety issues surround suspicious items on his person. The bomb disposal unit has been called and is now at the scene,” the police said.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a statement on X, described the attack as “horrific”.

Mr Starmer said, “I’m on my way back to London to chair an emergency meeting, and additional police assets are being deployed to synagogues across the country. We will do everything we can to keep our Jewish community safe.”