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The two men fatally wounded in the violent incident at a synagogue in Manchester are now named as 53-year-old Adrian Daulby and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz, according to police.

Greater Manchester Police indicated that official confirmation is still pending, but the families have been notified and family liaison officers are in close contact.

The victims were killed when an assailant used a vehicle to crash through the premises of the Heaton Park synagogue, then began attacking attendees during a six-minute rampage that concluded only when police with firearms shot at him twice.

Six minutes of terror: how the Manchester synagogue attack unfolded.

Three additional persons were seriously injured in the attack, which took place on the Day of Atonement, the holiest day in the Jewish year.

Police named the attacker as al-Shamie, thirty-five, a UK national of Syrian descent. The police force also disclosed that three other people – two males aged in their thirties and a woman in her 60s – had been taken into custody for alleged terrorism-related activities.

Autopsies of the victims – each of them are from the Crumpsall area – will be conducted later on Friday.

Detective Ch Supt Lewis Hughes, who is coordinating the victim support, commented: “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz at this extremely hard time.”

“Specially trained Family Liaison Officers are in contact with them. They will continue to update them on the investigation and guide them through the coroner’s procedures.”

“Although certain protocols must be observed, we will respect cultural traditions and sensitivities and to ensuring that these men and their loved ones’ wishes are respected.”

The attack drew widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum, with Keir Starmer calling the knife attacker a “despicable person” who “targeted Jewish people for their faith, and assaulted the nation due to its principles”. Political rivals Badenoch and Farage were among those expressing solidarity with the Jewish population.

The incident occurred just shortly prior to the second anniversary of the 7 October attacks by Hamas in Israel. Authorities stated that there would be heightened security at Jewish temples and Jewish institutions in the coming days.

Starmer returned early to the UK from a gathering of European leaders in Denmark to chair an emergency Cobra meeting after the incident, before speaking to the public from the Prime Minister’s residence.

On Friday morning, local authorities stated that extra officers would provide a “noticeable” presence in several Manchester areas within Jewish communities and around synagogues.

There will also be more frequent checks to local places of worship, authorities further noted.