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Two victims fatally injured in an attack on a religious center in Manchester have been identified by law enforcement as 53-year-old Adrian Daulby, and Melvin Cravitz, aged 66.

Three more people are still hospitalized with severe trauma after the attacker drove a vehicle into pedestrians before stabbing others on Thursday morning.

The assault, which authorities have declared was a act of terrorism, occurred on the Day of Atonement, the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar.

The assailant, who was shot dead at the site, was a thirty-five-year-old British citizen of Syrian heritage who was not on record to terrorism investigators, as stated by official statements.

Public Reaction

"Our hearts are broken," Britain's senior Jewish leader stated.

Speaking to a major broadcast, he remarked: "What transpired yesterday was an awful blow to us, something which actually we were fearing might happen because of the build up."

The attack was not only "an extremely difficult period" for Jews in Britain "but for all of our society," he continued.

Government Response

"Our obligation is to ensure our Jewish population, our citizens can conduct their daily activities with protection and peace of mind," a cabinet minister stated.

"I do not want Jewish people in our country to feel like they have to live a smaller Jewish life, that they cannot conduct their affairs and observe their religion and attend their religious centers in without fear," she added.

The perpetrator was not identified to terrorism investigators, she told broadcasters, and it was "not yet possible" to say if there was a terrorist cell behind the attack.

Investigation Update

The police investigation was "progressing rapidly" and there was an additional law enforcement visibility at synagogues across the UK.

"Authorities allocate security funding," the representative stated, adding: "We must evaluate what more we can do to combat rising antisemitism."

Law enforcement officials announced they were supporting the families of the two men killed.

"Our heartfelt condolences are with Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz's loved ones at this profoundly challenging moment," a senior police officer stated.

He indicated that designated family representatives were in contact with them and would continue to support them through the coronial process.

"Although procedures exist which require adherence, we commit to being mindful of religious traditions and concerns and to ensuring that the deceased and their families' preferences are respected," he added, stating that the both victims were from the local area.

Medical examinations are scheduled on the following day, per authoritative reports.