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London — Two Jewish men were killed and three other men were seriously injured in a terror attack outside a synagogue in the northern English city of  on Thursday, authorities said. The vehicle and  attack, which ended within minutes when police killed the attacker, comes as Jewish people around the world mark the holiday of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar. 

"A vile individual committed a terrorist attack that attacked Jews because they are Jews and attacked Britain because of our values," U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Thursday evening local time. Starmer, who flew back to the U.K. early from a meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, to address the rampage, called the attack a "horrific incident" and said there would be a "more visible police presence" to protect Jewish communities across the country.

Investigators believe the attacker was 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, Manchester police said , noting that formal identification had yet to take place.

"We are working to understand the motivation behind the attack as the investigation continues," police said in the statement.

Police also arrested two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism. No other details were immediately released about them.

Police said the attacker was shot by firearms officers and later died. The attacker wore a vest that looked like it contained an explosive device, Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson told reporters. Police later said the device was deemed to be not viable. A bomb disposal unit was deployed to the scene. Police said there was a loud noise as investigators gained entry to the attacker's vehicle, but that there was no risk to the public.

Earlier, Watson had described the two deceased victims as members of the area's Jewish community, but he didn't identify them. Police later said all the victims were men. One of the injured victims was stabbed, another was hit by the attacker's car, and a third may have been hurt as police stopped the attacker, police said.

"I'm Jewish and absolutely terrified," Vicky, who lives near the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester and didn't want to provide her last name, told the Reuters news agency. "It's just absolutely frightening because I'm scared for my own safety and my mom's safety."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the government increased security at synagogues across the country.

"We will do whatever is required to keep our Jewish community safe," Mahmood told reporters in Manchester. "To those who seek to divide us, they will fail."

The attacker drove directly at people outside the synagogue and then attacked people with a knife, Watson said. The attack happened while a large group of worshippers were inside the synagogue.

"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," Watson said.

The worshippers inside the synagogue were safe, he said.

"Today we have witnessed a vile attack on our Jewish community on its holiest day," Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said in a statement. "We condemn whoever is responsible and will do everything within our power to keep people safe. We stand with GM's [Greater Manchester's] Jewish community at this time and will work through the day to support them."

Police said officers were called to the synagogue at about 9.30 a.m. local time (4:30 a.m. ET) by a member of the public who said he'd witnessed a car being driven toward members of the public.

"Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 9.38am," just minutes after the incident was reported, police said. "One man has been shot, believed to be the offender."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the capital city's Metropolitan Police service would be "stepping up high visibility policing in and around synagogues in London."

"I know, as it is, Jewish people have been scared and feeling scared over the last few months, indeed, since October the 7th, 2023," Khan said. "I also know many want to go to the synagogue and worship. I want to reassure them that in London they will be seeing additional police officers. People should be allowed to go about and practice their faith knowing they're going to be safe. Unfortunately, too many Jewish Londoners, Jewish people across the country, Jewish people across the globe, don't feel that way. And that's heartbreaking."

King Charles III said in a statement that he and Queen Camilla were "deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services."