Six people died and 16 others sustained injuries in a mass shooting in Kraków’s Main Market Square on Saturday afternoon when a 25-year-old Polish citizen drove a vehicle equipped with an automatic weapon into the historic centre and fired into crowds.
Assault Unfolds in Kraków’s Center
The attack began shortly before 3pm local time as the armed assailant, wearing military-style clothing and a bulletproof vest, drove a dark-coloured vehicle onto Rynek Główny, the city’s principal square. Earlier, a tram driver reported that his vehicle had been fired at near the square, shattering the window of his cabin. The gunman continued his assault across the area, shooting at pedestrians who fled into shops, restaurants, and nearby buildings. Jonathan Balshaw, visiting from Ipswich with his girlfriend, recalled seeking shelter through a side door of St Mary’s basilica as the attack began.
Armed police pursued the attacker’s car until it crashed near the intersection of Dietla and Stradomskie streets, where officers engaged him in a firefight. The suspect sustained critical injuries during the exchange and underwent surgery in hospital.
Six Hospitals Treat Casualties
The dead include four women and two men. Polish police confirmed that one of the victims was a British citizen. The 16 wounded individuals were distributed across six hospitals in the city. The injured include 11 Polish citizens and five foreign nationals from Britain, Austria, Germany, Portugal, and Russia.
Two police officers who intervened during the apprehension of the gunman were among the wounded. Authorities noted the need for AB Rh+ blood donations to support injured officer Jakub Kulik.
Wojewoda Klęczar stated that among the wounded were 11 Poles and five foreigners, noting that in 14 cases the condition was stable, while one person remained in serious condition and the perpetrator was in critical condition after undergoing several surgeries.
Bodies Found at Family Home
Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that there were strong indications three bodies found at the suspect’s home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski were his immediate family members. Investigators recovered an AR-15 rifle from the vehicle, and police noted that the 25-year-old held a firearms licence and had no prior criminal record.
Until now in Poland we haven’t had such drastic cases of terrorism… that’s what we have to call this cruel attack on people’s lives here in Krakow.
Donald Tusk, Prime Minister
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński stated at a news conference that the suspect was fascinated with far-right ideologies and held very radical views. Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz characterized the massacre as an act of terror against the people of Kraków. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham offered his condolences, stating he was shocked and saddened by the appalling shooting and that the United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the people of Poland.
Mourning Declared for Sunday and Monday
The Polish government declared a period of national mourning for Sunday and Monday, while a massive armed police presence deployed across Kraków on Saturday evening. In the capital, Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski introduced new security measures, including the installation of road barriers along primary streets in the old town.
