🔗 Share this article

Two victims losing their lives in an attack on a Jewish house of worship in Manchester have been revealed by police as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66.

Three others remain in hospital with critical wounds after Jihad Al-Shamie used an automobile into individuals before using a bladed weapon on Thursday.

The attack, which authorities have declared was a terror-related event, came on Yom Kippur, the most important observance in the Jewish faith.

The attacker, who was shot dead at the site, was a thirty-five-year-old British citizen of Syrian heritage who was not previously identified to counter-terrorism authorities, as stated by official statements.

Public Reaction

"Our hearts are broken," the nation's top rabbinical authority declared.

Speaking to a major broadcast, he said: "Yesterday's events was an awful blow to us, something which actually we were fearing might happen because of the escalating tensions."

The attack was not only "a very dark time" for Jews in Britain "but for the entire nation," he added.

Government Response

"The government's duty is to guarantee our Jewish community, our residents can conduct their daily activities with safety and security," a senior government official announced.

"We cannot allow the Jewish community in our country to believe they must live a smaller Jewish life, that they cannot go about their business and observe their religion and attend their religious centers in without fear," she added.

The assailant was not recognized to security services, she told media outlets, and it was "premature" to say if there was a terror network behind the attack.

Police Inquiry

The criminal probe was "continuing at pace" and there was an increased police presence at Jewish worship centers across the UK.

"Funding is available for safety resources," the minister said, adding: "I think we will have to consider what additional measures we can implement to deal with growing religious prejudice."

Law enforcement officials announced they were assisting the relatives of the two men killed.

"Our heartfelt condolences are with Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz's loved ones at this profoundly challenging moment," the lead investigator declared.

He confirmed that trained family liaison officers were in communication with families and would continue to support them through the official inquiries.

"Although procedures exist which require adherence, we commit to being mindful of cultural preferences and concerns and to ensuring that these men and their relatives' requests are respected," he continued, noting that the deceased individuals were from Crumpsall.

Post-mortems are being conducted on the following day, according to government statements.