Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesAt least two people have died after police say a car was driven at members of the public and a man was stabbed outside a synagogue in Manchester.
A major incident was declared by Greater Manchester Police, with firearms officers being deployed to the area.
Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesThree other members of the public remain in a serious condition.
Police say a large number of people worshiping at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue at the time of the incident “were held inside while the immediate area was made safe but have since been evacuated”.
Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesYom Kippur is a day of fasting and atonement and is believed to be the day God seals the fate of each person for the coming years. It is a solemn day on which work is forbidden and is set aside for prayer and reflection. It is also a day when many who do not regularly attend synagogue services do so.
As such, security is often increased. An attack on a synagogue in Halle, Germany in 2019 in which two people were killed also took place on Yom Kippur.
Some Jews do not access social media or television on Yom Kippur so many only find out details of the Manchester attack at nightfall.
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PA MediaThe 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.
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