Two people have been killed following a terrifying stabbing at a north Manchester Synagogue, with the suspect believed to have been shot dead by police.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have closed off the area around Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue following the stabbing, as they announced that a suspect armed with a knife was shot by armed officers on Thursday (2 October) morning.
GMP confirmed the attack, which involved a car driven at pedestrians outside the place of worship on Middleton Road at 9.30am this morning.
Though initially believed to be four, five people have been confirmed to have been injured in the attack, including a security guard.
Three others are said to be in a serious condition as police continue their investigation.
It was declared to be a major incident at 9.37am by GMP, with shots fired a minute later at the believed offender.
It has been reported that the suspect was shot because he was believed to have had a device on him, though the nature of the device or its authenticity is yet to be confirmed.
GMP previously stated that the suspect's condition remains unclear, despite Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham stating 'it is believed' that the man is dead.
The bomb squad remains on the scene, as a GMP spokesperson stated: "We’re responding to an incident outside a synagogue on Middleton Road in Manchester. Police have swooped on a synagogue in north Manchester after a stabbing and car attack left four people injured."
Several major Greater Manchester hospitals are also 'on lockdown' after declaring this morning's stabbing a major incident.
The likes of Salford Royal, Fairfield General, Rochdale Infirmary, and the Royal Oldham hospitals are taking the necessary measures, with an internal note from the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust reading 'Greater Manchester major incident declared - lockdown of our sites'.
The MEN reports that the message said: "Please be advised that all our sites have been asked to immediately lock down following the declaration of a major incident within Greater Manchester.
"We have been informed that emergency services are at the scene of an incident within Manchester. We will share further details as these become available."
King Charles has since released a statement, saying that he and the Queen were 'deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community'.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who cut a trip to Denmark short to chair an emergency Cobra meeting, said he was 'appalled' by the incident, adding: "The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific."
GMP confirmed that a passerby alerted police and Paramedics were on the scene at 9.41, with authorities continuing to stay on the scene.
"Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while the police continue to deal with the incident," they added.
'Additional police assets' are said to be deployed at synagogues across the UK, as the Prime Minister said that 'we will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe.'
Featured Image Credit: PA
Joshua Nair