KRAKÓW, POLAND – At least six people have been killed and 16 others injured after a gunman opened fire on pedestrians in the historic Main Market Square of Kraków, Poland’s second-largest city, in a deadly shooting that has sent shockwaves across the country.
The attack occurred on Saturday afternoon, November 7, when the suspect, a 25-year-old Polish national, allegedly drove into the busy tourist destination and fired randomly at people from his vehicle.
According to Polish authorities, the victims comprised four women and two men. A British national was among those killed, while the identities and nationalities of some victims were still being established.
Among the 16 injured were five foreign nationals from Austria, Germany, Portugal, Russia and the United Kingdom. Two police officers were also wounded during the incident, with one reportedly in critical condition.
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Suspect Arrested After Gun Battle With Police
Police said the shooting began shortly before 3:00 p.m. local time, sending residents, tourists and business operators fleeing for safety as gunshots echoed across the historic square.
Witness accounts and footage from the scene indicated that the attacker fired from the driver’s side of his vehicle, damaging shopfronts and striking a passing tram.
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The shooting reportedly lasted approximately three minutes before armed police officers pursued the suspect’s vehicle.
The pursuit ended after the vehicle crashed, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and police officers. The attacker was eventually shot, arrested and taken to hospital, where he underwent surgery.
Authorities said the suspect was dressed in military-style tactical clothing and was carrying a military-style firearm. Additional weapons and ammunition were reportedly recovered from his vehicle.
Polish officials have clarified that the suspect was not a serving member of the country’s armed forces.
Authorities Suspect Far-Right Ideological Influence
Poland’s Interior Minister, Marcin Kierwiński, said preliminary findings suggested that the suspect was influenced by far-right ideologies and held radical ultra-nationalist views.
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The minister described the suspect as someone fascinated by far-right ideology, although investigations are continuing to establish the full circumstances and motive behind the attack.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the incident as an act of terrorism, saying Poland had not previously experienced such a devastating attack on civilians.
He also pledged that anyone found to have supported or assisted the perpetrator would be investigated and brought to justice.
Three Additional Bodies Discovered At Suspect’s Home
In a further disturbing development, counter-terrorism police searching the suspect’s residence in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, approximately 200 kilometres from Kraków, discovered three additional bodies.
Prime Minister Tusk confirmed that the victims comprised two women and one man.
He said there were strong indications that the deceased were members of the suspect’s immediate family, although investigations were still ongoing to establish their identities and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The discovery has added another dimension to the investigation, as authorities work to determine whether the family deaths were connected to the deadly shooting.
Police Officers Praised For Courageous Response
Two police officers sustained injuries during the confrontation with the gunman.
Prime Minister Tusk identified them as Senior Constable Jakub Kulik and Senior Constable Artur Morański, praising their intervention and saying they had saved many lives.
One officer was reportedly fighting for his life, while the second was expected to recover from less serious injuries.
Tusk described the officers as heroes for putting their lives at risk to protect members of the public.
Security Tightened Across Poland
Following the attack, authorities deployed a significant number of armed police officers across Kraków, while security measures were strengthened in Warsaw and other parts of the country.
The city also announced a period of mourning until November 11 in honour of those who lost their lives.
The incident has drawn widespread international condemnation, with political leaders expressing sympathy and solidarity with Poland.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the shooting as appalling and expressed condolences to the families of those killed, the injured and everyone affected by the violence.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also condemned the attack, describing it as a tragedy whose impact would be felt far beyond Poland.
The British Foreign Office subsequently updated its travel advice, urging British nationals in the affected area to follow instructions issued by local authorities.
Witnesses Describe Scenes Of Panic And Horror
Eyewitnesses have described terrifying scenes as people scrambled for safety during the shooting.
A 24-year-old Polish university student identified as Cezary said he initially did not realise that the loud noises he heard were gunshots until he noticed bodies lying on the street.
He recalled hearing repeated gunfire and people screaming, while bystanders attempted to provide emergency assistance to the wounded.
A British tourist, Caitlin Shasby, said she heard gunshots from her hotel room and was instructed to remain indoors as police secured the surrounding streets.
Another witness told Polish media that he saw shots being fired from the driver’s side of a vehicle, prompting him to run into a nearby police station, where several people were already hiding on the floor.
Authorities are continuing investigations into the attack, including the suspect’s ideological background, the circumstances surrounding the three deaths at his residence and whether anyone else may have been involved.
The shooting is being described as one of Poland’s deadliest mass shooting incidents in decades, raising fresh concerns about public safety and extremist violence in the country.
