Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed that three individuals (including the suspect) have died after a vehicle and stabbing attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester. Four more people remain in critical condition.

Controlled explosion

According to the BBC, a loud noise was heard at the scene of the attack.

The explosion was reportedly a result of specialist resources used to “gain entry to the suspect’s vehicle as a precaution”.

The GMP has articulated that there is “no risk to the public and ongoing activity in relation to this major incident can be expected as we continue our enquiries.”

Bomb citing

According to footage shared by the BBC, armed police officers can be seen warning the public to “get back” if they aren’t involved in the ongoing situation.

“He has a bomb – go away,” one of the officers can he heard shouting in the footage.

Emergency COBRA Meeting

“The attack in Manchester this morning is absolutely shocking. All of our thoughts are with those affected,” said Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The PM – who is set to host an emergency COBRA Meeting – confirmed that additional police assets are set to be deployed to other synagogues across the country.

He thanked the emergency service teams for their rapid response.

“Avoid the area”

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester warned radio listeners “to avoid the area because it is a serious incident” but said the immediate danger “appeared to be over.”

The incident is said to have been “dealt with very effectively by those on-site and by Greater Manchester Police,” according to Burnham.

According to a scheduled post on Heaton Park Synagogue’s website, worshippers were due to gather at 9:00am for a prayer service to mark Yom Kippur, making the attack even more

The timing of an attack on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar feels to many like it is designed to maximise the hurt felt across Jewish communities.

The BBC has stated that a witness stated that he saw two men in handcuffs on a residential street being led away by police.

He reportedly told the PA news agency: “They’ve arrested two people on our road.”

“They’ve closed the road and there’s a police helicopter just over us.

“There were six or seven police cars with armed police,” he added.

There are no current links, that have been reported by Greater Manchester Police, between the attack and the two arrests.

SAS helicopter

A SAS helicopter has been spotted flying over the Crumpsall area.

The aircraft, known as “Blue Thunder,” reportedly forms part of an airborne counter‑terrorism operation.

Assistant Commissioner

Counter-terrorism policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor reported he was “devastated”.

The following updates have been reported:

• The attack has been declared a terrorist incident
• Two further arrests have been made
• The police believe they have an identity, but are withholding confirmation at this stage for safety reasons

Body of attacker being examined

A photo of the attackers body has now been published from the scene of the synagogue which shows the body of the attacker being examined by a bomb disposal technician.

The BBC has reported that the suspect was shot on site by police officers within seven minutes of the original call.

Worshippers helped prevent attacker

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson commented: “There were a large number of worshippers attending the synagogue at the time of this attack but thanks to the immediate bravery of security staff and the worshippers inside as well as the fast response of the police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access.”

Speaking on the attacker, Watson stated that he was wearing a vest “which had the appearance of an explosive device.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives at Downing Street for COBRA meeting

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived at Downing Street to chair a COBRA meeting.

Starmer is said to have cut short his trip to Denmark – where he was attending a leaders’ summit – in response to the synagogue attack.