Six people were killed and more than a dozen wounded after a gunman opened fire in the historic centre of Krakow, Poland, on November 7, police said. The attack took place around the city’s Main Market Square, a major public space and tourist destination, prompting a large emergency response and a police investigation.
Police said the suspect, a Polish citizen, drove a car into the square and fired at people. Officers shot the suspect, who was taken to hospital and remained in custody. Authorities said the known attacker had acted alone, while investigators worked to establish the circumstances and motive.
The death toll was initially reported as five before regional authorities updated it to six. Police identified the victims as four women and two men. Around a dozen other people were reported wounded, including police officers. Some later reports put the number of injured higher, and the casualty count may be revised as authorities complete their updates.
Emergency services and multiple police units were deployed to the historic centre. The area was cordoned off while investigators secured evidence and worked to reconstruct how the attack unfolded.
Police said the suspect was wounded when officers intervened and was transported to hospital. Investigators said he had been wearing military-style clothing and carrying a long firearm. Police also reported finding additional firearms and a quantity of ammunition in his vehicle, according to comments attributed to a Krakow police spokesperson by Polish media and AFP.
Authorities had not publicly established a motive in the initial statements. Police have not released the identities or nationalities of the victims. Investigators are expected to examine the suspect’s background, the weapons recovered and any evidence that could explain why the attack occurred.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk travelled to Krakow after the shooting and described the incident as a tragedy. He praised the police officers who intervened and said the circumstances were being investigated. National and local officials expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
The city announced a period of mourning following the attack. The response has focused on supporting victims and relatives, maintaining security around the scene and establishing the facts without speculation about the motive.
The shooting is being treated as a major criminal investigation. Police are expected to examine witness accounts, surveillance footage, forensic evidence and the weapons recovered from the suspect’s vehicle. Officials have urged the public to rely on confirmed information as investigators work through the evidence.
Krakow’s Main Market Square is one of Poland’s best-known historic landmarks and normally attracts residents and visitors throughout the day. The attack has raised immediate concerns about public safety in crowded urban spaces, but the full circumstances will depend on the findings of the investigation.