UK police have announced a significant incident near a synagogue in Manchester. Two individuals lost their lives due to their injuries, and the perpetrator was confirmed dead following police gunfire.
The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) reported that two individuals lost their lives due to injuries sustained in a car and knife attack near a synagogue in the northern part of the city on Thursday.
The assailant was shot by armed officers and was subsequently verified as deceased following a check by bomb disposal specialists for any potential explosives on his body.
"Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that two individuals lost their lives after a significant event occurred outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, located on Middleton Road in Crumpsall," GMP stated in an online release.
"We can confirm that three individuals have lost their lives, including the suspect, who was shot by GMP firearms officers," police stated in a subsequent announcement.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, King Charles III, and various political figures expressed strong anger and sorrow over the attack that occurred during the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.
What occurred in the Manchester synagogue incident?
On Thursday, law enforcement stated they were dealing with an event near a synagogue on Middleton Road in Manchester, following a report from a member of the public about a vehicle moving toward pedestrians and a stabbing.
Police announced a significant incident at 9:37 a.m. local time (0837 GMT/UTC) outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, located in the northern part of the city, and stated that officers fired shots one minute afterward.
GMP stated that paramedics arrived on site and that four members of the public were injured, with both injuries resulting "from the vehicle and stab wounds."
"Our teams provided care to individuals at the location and transported four injured people to the hospital. Our equipment is still at the site to assist with the continuing response to the event," said North West Ambulance Services in a statement.
The police stated they gave verbal warnings and fired shots into the air, which the suspect ignored, leading them to shoot and incapacitate him.
Officials classify the event as a terrorist attack, with two additional individuals detained.
The individual who carried out the attack was killed by the police. We think we have identified them, but due to safety concerns at the location, we cannot verify this at the moment," said Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who leads specialist operations for the Metropolitan Police, during a press briefing on Thursday. "Three other members of the public are in critical condition.
Taylor mentioned that the police had also made two additional arrests and stated, "based on our current understanding," that counterterrorism officers had classified the attack as a terrorist act.
Law enforcement agencies are increasing security throughout the nation: at synagogues, Jewish locations, and more broadly to offer comfort to all communities impacted by this event," Taylor stated. "We will make sure every piece of intelligence and investigation path is thoroughly examined.
Starmer 'shocked,' mayor asks people to stay away from the area
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham stated to local BBC radio that it seemed to be a significant incident, yet he also mentioned that "the immediate threat appears to have passed."
Similar to the police, Burnham recommended that people stay away from the area while emergency services handle the situation.
The assault occurs on the same day as the Yom Kippur religious festival.
I'm shocked by the attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall," UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated on social media. "The fact that this occurred on Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar, makes it even more disturbing.
Starmer mentioned he was departing aEuropean summit in Denmarkearly to return to the UK to lead a so-called "COBRA" (Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms) meeting involving committees managing the government's reaction to national emergencies.
"I can already confirm that extra police resources are being sent to synagogues throughout the nation, and we will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our Jewish community," Starmer stated in Copenhagen before getting on his flight.
King Charles III expressed in a statement that he was "deeply shocked and distressed" by the incident, "particularly on such an important day for the Jewish community."
Manchester is inhabited by approximately 30,000 Jews, which makes it the second-largest Jewish community in the UK, following London.
Edited by: Wesley Dockery
Author: Mark Hallam (with AFP, Reuters)
Posting Komentar