A man drove into Krakow's Main Market Square on Saturday afternoon and opened fire on people in the square, killing at least six and wounding 15 others, according to Al Jazeera. The attack began at roughly 3pm local time (14:00 GMT) in the historic centre of Poland's second-largest city.
Police said the gunman acted alone and was shot and detained by officers at the scene. He was then taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries. Poland's Interior Ministry confirmed the suspect is a Polish citizen, Al Jazeera reports.
A police spokesman told reporters the man was dressed in military-style clothing. Officers opened fire during the arrest, and the man fired back, the spokesman said. Two police officers were among the wounded, and Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said one of them is in a critical condition.
Why it matters
Poland is a European Union and NATO member of about 38 million people where deadly shootings are extremely rare, and an attack of this scale in a crowded tourist square is without recent precedent in the country's modern history. Krakow lies about 250km (155 miles) south of Warsaw and draws roughly 15 million visitors a year, making the square one of the most heavily visited public spaces in the country.
The attack also lands at a tense moment. Poland had already been on heightened alert after a series of stabbings in October, which Prime Minister Donald Tusk described as a "cult of violence", according to Al Jazeera. The country has repeatedly warned of Russian sabotage and hybrid warfare on its soil, accusations Moscow rejects.
Officials respond
Tusk said on X that he was being kept informed by the interior minister and praised what he called the heroic response of police to the "tragic shooting". He said officers are investigating the background and all the circumstances of the attack.
President Karol Nawrocki said his thoughts were with the victims, those affected and their families.
Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on social media that he had received dozens of messages from counterparts around the world offering condolences.
Tom Rose, the US ambassador to Poland, described the incident as a horrific mass shooting and a savage, murderous attack that had shattered the peace of Poland. He said America stands with Poland, as Poland stands with the people of Krakow.
Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, wrote on X that Poland does not stand alone and that the loss of life would be felt well beyond the country's borders. She said her thoughts were with the victims, their families and the first responders.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered condolences and condemned what he called a shocking crime, saying Ukraine stands in solidarity with Poland and its people and that people have the right to safety. Poland has been a staunch ally of Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
What we know and what we don't
Police have not publicly described a motive, and the investigation into the background of the attack is ongoing. The suspect's identity has not been released beyond the confirmation of his citizenship. Authorities have not said how many rounds were fired or how the man reached the square before opening fire from his vehicle.
The casualty count has shifted as officials have updated the public. Al Jazeera reported at least six dead and 15 wounded, while other outlets covering the same attack gave differing figures earlier in the day. The condition of the wounded, beyond the critically injured officer, has not been detailed.
A city and a country on edge
Krakow's Main Market Square is the centrepiece of the city's old town and one of the largest medieval squares in Europe, ringed by cafes, churches and the cloth hall that anchors it. On a Saturday afternoon it would typically be filled with tourists and residents.
The attack is likely to sharpen debate in Poland over public security, policing at mass gatherings and the country's alert level. It also comes as Warsaw balances domestic security concerns against its role as a frontline supporter of Ukraine and a target, by its own account, of foreign interference.
What to watch
Expect further police briefings on the suspect's background and motive, an update on the condition of the wounded officers, and possible changes to security arrangements at major public sites and events across Poland in the coming days.
