Manchester synagogue terror attack: What we know so far in 5 points

The attack took place during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, when the synagogue was especially busy.

Here is what we know so far about the terror attack

1. 01

   What happened?

   At 9:31 am on Thursday, a witness called police after seeing a car driven toward bystanders and a man stabbed outside Heaton Park Shul, a synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, where worshippers were gathered for Yom Kippur, according to The Guardian.

   By 9:37 am, Greater Manchester Police declared a major incident under Operation Plato, the protocol for “marauding terrorist attacks.”

   Just a minute later, firearms officers shot a man believed to be the attacker. Paramedics arrived at 9:41 am to treat four people for stab wounds and injuries caused by the suspect’s vehicle. A bomb disposal unit was also deployed, The Guardian reported.

   Authorities later confirmed that two victims and the suspect had died. Laurence Taylor, head of UK counter-terrorism policing, classified the event as a terrorist incident and noted two arrests had been made in connection with it.

2. 02

   Who is the suspect?

   A photo of the suspect circulated in the media, but no official details have been released. The head of UK counter-terrorism policing said authorities believe they know his identity but could not confirm due to “safety reasons at the scene.”

3. 03

   Where did attack happened and why today?

   The attack occurred outside the gates of Heaton Park Shul, an Ashkenazi Orthodox synagogue founded in 1967 in Higher Crumpsall, north Manchester. Crumpsall and neighbouring Prestwich have one of the largest Jewish communities in northern England. The synagogue was especially busy for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, translates to “day of atonement.” It involves fasting and prayer as Jewish people seek spiritual closeness to God.

4. 04

   What has been the reaction to the attack?

   Labour leader Keir Starmer said he was appalled and called the attack “all the more horrific” for happening on Yom Kippur, cutting short a trip to Denmark to return to the UK.

   Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch condemned the “vile and disgusting” assault and the wider “rise in antisemitism” in Britain.

   Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham vowed to stand with the Jewish community and pledged continued support.

   Local MP Graham Stringer said “evil people” must not be allowed to divide communities, adding that relations between different groups in the area are generally strong.

5. 05

   India condemns terror attack

   India condemned the terror attack in United Kingdom’s Manchester on Thursday, saying the incident was a “grim reminder of the challenge we face from the evil forces of terrorism”. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called upon the global community to “combat and defeat” terrorism “through united and concerted action”.

(With Inputs from The Guardian, BBC, Reuters)