Terror Attack on Manchester Synagogue on Yom Kippur Kills Two Worshippers; Attacker Shot Dead
On October 2, 2025, a terrorist attack struck the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, in the city of Manchester in Greater Manchester, England, on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar: a man drove a car at members of the public outside the synagogue and then attacked people with a knife. Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson confirmed in a statement that day that two members of the Jewish community had died and four other people were in hospital with serious injuries; armed officers intercepted and fatally shot the attacker within seven minutes of the initial call.
Police received the first call at 9:31 a.m. reporting that a car had been driven towards members of the public outside the Heaton Park synagogue and that a man had been stabbed, and declared a major incident. The attack was later formally declared a terrorist incident, with the investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing. A large number of worshippers were inside the synagogue for Yom Kippur services at the time.
Watson said the bravery of the synagogue's security staff and worshippers, who prevented the attacker from gaining entry to the building, deserved recognition. He said police believed they knew the attacker's identity but that it was premature to release those details at that stage; the attacker had been wearing a vest that appeared to be an explosive device, which police were assessing. As of that afternoon, two other individuals had been arrested on suspicion of involvement, and the investigation was continuing, with police appealing for information.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack the same day, calling it a terrorist attack that had targeted Jews because they are Jews, a horrific crime committed by a vile individual.
Source: Greater Manchester Police
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：英国首相 Keir Starmer 于2025年10月3日来到袭击现场外，与社区成员交谈（资料照片）。Lauren Hurley 摄，英国首相府官方发布，CC BY 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks with a community member outside the scene on October 3, 2025, the day after the attack (file photo). By Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
