The suspected perpetrator of an attack on a synagogue in Crumpsall, which killed two people and temporarily locked Salford Royal Hospital down, has been shot dead by armed police officers, Greater Manchester Police have confirmed.
Two people have died after a car was driven at pedestrians, and a person was stabbed in a suspected terror attack outside a synagogue on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur.
Greater Manchester Police said three other people are in a serious condition following the attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road in Crumpsall, on Thursday morning.
Salford Royal was one of four hospitals in Greater Manchester put on lockdown following the attack, with some visitors temporarily unable to access the premises following the declaration of a major incident, an anonymous source confirmed.
The hospital, which is part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, has since been reopened and is back to full functionality.
The force confirmed a bomb disposal unit was sent to the scene after footage shared on social media appeared to show members of the public shouting to firearms officers that the suspect had a bomb strapped to him.
Police declared a major incident at 9.37am after receiving a call from a man who said he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public and that one man had been stabbed. They confirmed that the suspect was shot dead by armed officers upon arrival at 9.38 am.
GMP initially could not confirm his death “due to safety issues surrounding suspicious items on his person.”
GMP outlined they had “declared Plato” – the national codeword used by police and emergency services when responding to a “marauding terror attack”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said “additional police assets” will be deployed at synagogues across the country following the attack.
Manchester City Council Leader Bev Craig said: “We are all horrified by this shocking and reprehensible attack on members of Manchester’s Jewish community, on their holiest day.
“Our thoughts are with those who have been killed and seriously injured, their loved ones and with everyone who has been affected by this awful incident.
“We have been supporting our local community throughout the morning and offer our full support and love.
“We will be working Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and our local communities in the hours ahead to offer support and reassurance. Manchester stands with our Jewish community at this darkest of moments, and will come together as a city.”
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