A sad event unfolded outside a synagogue in Manchester, where two people lost their lives and four others were seriously hurt. The incident happened on Yom Kippur when a man drove his car into worshippers and then began attacking people with a knife.
Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue around 9:30 in the morning. Officers arrived quickly and shot the attacker dead just a few minutes later.
Authorities have identified the attacker as Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen with Syrian roots. They have also arrested three other people, two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s, on suspicion of being involved in terrorism.
One of the people who died was a security guard who was protecting the synagogue. Both of the victims who died were Jewish.
Initially, police thought the attacker might be wearing a bomb, so they brought in a special bomb squad. However, they didn’t find any real bomb. They did set off a controlled explosion to make sure it was safe to get to the attacker’s car.
Many people were at the synagogue for Yom Kippur services when the attack happened. Some brave people stepped in quickly to stop the attacker from getting inside the synagogue.
As a precaution, police have sent more officers to watch over other synagogues and Jewish places in Manchester.
The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, called the attack terrible and said it was aimed at Jews simply because of who they are. He has promised that there will be more police around synagogues and Jewish neighborhoods.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla said they were very upset by the news. Jewish groups and leaders from around the world have also spoken out against the violence.
The police are asking everyone to be alert and report anything that seems suspicious as they continue to investigate the attack for any links to terrorism.
