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Manchester synagogue attack: What we know so far Manchester synagogue attack: What we know so far
(32 minutes later)
Emergency services at the scene after the attack on Thursday morningEmergency services at the scene after the attack on Thursday morning
Four people have been injured in a car ramming and stabbing attack at a synagogue in Manchester, with the suspect shot by police. Two people have died in a car ramming and stabbing attack at a synagogue in Manchester, with the suspect shot by police.
The incident came on Yom Kippur - the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar.The incident came on Yom Kippur - the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar.
Here is what we know so far.Here is what we know so far.
What happened?What happened?
Police responded at 09:31 BST on Thursday to reports of a car driving towards members of the public, and a man stabbed. The man who was stabbed is believed to be a security guard.Police responded at 09:31 BST on Thursday to reports of a car driving towards members of the public, and a man stabbed. The man who was stabbed is believed to be a security guard.
The incident happened at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall area in the north of the city. The incident happened at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall area in Manchester's north. It is an area with a large Jewish community, about 4 miles (6km) from the city centre.
By 09:37, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) had declared a major incident.
Follow live updates on this storyFollow live updates on this story
The force said in a statement: "Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 09:38. By 09:37, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) had declared a major incident.
"One man has been shot, believed to be the offender." Police say they fired shots at 09:38 and one man, believed to be the offender, was shot.
The suspect is believed to be dead, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said. He is believed to be dead, police say.
The North West Ambulance Service confirmed that a major incident had been declared and that it had deployed staff to the scene.The North West Ambulance Service confirmed that a major incident had been declared and that it had deployed staff to the scene.
How many people were harmed? An eyewitness called Gareth, who was driving his delivery van near the scene, told the BBC he saw a man "bleeding out on the floor".
Paramedics arrived at the scene to find four people injured. Gareth said he saw another man "laying on the floor" in front of a car, and he could hear people shouting.
Police said the injuries were a result of the both the vehicle and stab wounds. He said he saw another person, a man, with a knife "stabbing the window" of a nearby building "trying to get in".
Another man has been shot, who police believe is the offender. His condition is not confirmed but Burnham said he is believed to be dead. "Within seconds, the police arrived, they gave him a couple of warnings, he didn't listen so they opened fire," he explained, saying the man holding the knife then went down on the floor.
He then "started getting back up and they [the police] shot him again", Gareth said - describing it as "nerve-racking" to see.
How many people have died and been injured?
Greater Manchester Police said two people have died.
A third person, a man believed to be the offender, was shot by police and is also believed to be dead.
Three other members of the public remain in a serious condition.
Police earlier said the injuries were a result of both the vehicle and stab wounds.
What do we know about the suspect?
Police said the man believed to be the offender was shot by firearms officers and is believed to be dead.
"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."
A clip circulating on social media, verified by the BBC, appears to show the moment police opened fire.
In it, two armed officers can be seen standing pointing their weapons at a figure lying prone on the ground.
Seconds later, the figure attempts to stand up. A sharp cracks ring out and the man falls to the ground.
Is the incident ongoing?Is the incident ongoing?
Burnham said "the immediate danger appears to be over".Burnham said "the immediate danger appears to be over".
But members of the public are being warned to avoid the area while police deal with the incident.But members of the public are being warned to avoid the area while police deal with the incident.
The site has been cordoned off, with police, fire and ambulance services present and helicopters overhead.
Members of the Jewish community and the wider public could be seen gathering around the scene.
Police said they declared "Plato" moments after first hearing about the incident.Police said they declared "Plato" moments after first hearing about the incident.
Operation Plato is a set of responses by the emergency services to large-scale incidents including "marauding terrorist attacks".Operation Plato is a set of responses by the emergency services to large-scale incidents including "marauding terrorist attacks".
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said "additional police assets" would be deployed at synagogues across the country after the attack.
He told reporters: "We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe."
What is Yom Kippur?What is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar. Large numbers of people tend to attend synagogues and fast.Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar. Large numbers of people tend to attend synagogues and fast.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was "appalled" by the attack. Rabbi Jonathan Romain, of Maidenhead Synagogue, told PA news agency said this is "every Jewish person's worst nightmare".
"Not only is this a sacred day, the most sacred in the Jewish calendar, but it's also a time of mass gathering, and the time when the Jewish community, however religious or irreligious, gathers together."
The prime minister said he was "appalled" by the attack.
He said in a statement: "The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific.He said in a statement: "The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific.
"My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services and all the first responders.""My thoughts are with the loved ones of all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services and all the first responders."
He will chair a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee in London this afternoon, flying home early from a European summit in Denmark to do so.He will chair a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee in London this afternoon, flying home early from a European summit in Denmark to do so.
The home secretary said she was "horrified" by news of the attack on the holy day and that she was receiving updates from local police.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told the BBC it looked like "an outrageous attack on the Jewish community on their holiest day" - calling it "vile and disgusting".Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told the BBC it looked like "an outrageous attack on the Jewish community on their holiest day" - calling it "vile and disgusting".