Gunman kills at least six people in central Krakow

At least six people were killed and more than a dozen injured when a gunman opened fire in the Main Market Square of Krakow, Poland's second-largest city, shortly before 15:00 local time. The square is a busy tourist destination. The suspect, who may have far-right ties, was shot and arrested by police, and Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the shooting an act of terrorism, noting that Poland had not previously seen such drastic cases.

How the attack unfolded

Police said the man drove into the square and began firing at random people from his car. A passing tram was hit, with its windows shattered, but no passengers were hurt. Armed officers arrived and exchanged fire with him; officials say he was shot within three minutes of the attack starting, which prevented a further massacre. The 25-year-old, who was arrested, remains in hospital after surgery for a gunshot wound.

His car was checked for explosive devices, but none were found. Residents of nearby buildings were evacuated.

Victims

Six people are confirmed dead: four women and two men, including a British national. Three are Polish and two have not been identified. Sixteen people were taken to hospital, among them five foreigners from Austria, Britain, Germany, Portugal and Russia, two police officers and the attacker. One officer was shot three times and is in a very critical condition. Tusk named the injured officers as Jakub Kulik and Artur Morański.

Three more bodies, of two women and one man, were found at the suspect's home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, about 200 km from Krakow, when police searched it with counter-terrorism support.

The suspect

Police identified the attacker as a 25-year-old Polish man but have not confirmed his name. He wore military-style clothing and carried a military-grade weapon, though he was not a soldier. Many weapons and ammunition were found in his vehicle. Polish media report that he held a firearms permit and may have obtained the weapons from his family home. A minister said early findings point to inspiration from far-right ideologies.

Reaction

Krakow Mayor Łukasz Gibała declared mourning in the city until Wednesday, 11 November. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed condolences and solidarity.