Six Killed And 15 Injured In Shooting At Poland's Historic Krakow Market Square

At least six people, including a British citizen, have been killed and 15 others injured after a gunman opened fire on people at Krakow's historic Main Market Square in southern Poland. The suspect, a Polish citizen believed to have acted alone, was wounded during an exchange of gunfire with police and taken to hospital. Authorities said he wore military-style clothing and a bulletproof vest, while additional weapons and ammunition were discovered in his vehicle. Poland's interior minister linked the suspect to far-right ideology, although investigators are still working to establish his motive. Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced two days of national mourning as European leaders expressed solidarity with Poland.

At least six people have been killed and 15 others injured after a gunman opened fire on people at the historic Main Market Square in Krakow, southern Poland, on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
The attack happened at around 3 p.m. local time when a man drove into the busy square and began shooting at people at random from inside his vehicle. The location is one of Poland's most popular tourist attractions, regularly visited by residents and international visitors.
Police said the suspect was a Polish citizen who appeared to have acted alone. Officers confronted him during the incident, exchanged gunfire with him and eventually shot and wounded him. He was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.
The shooting has shocked Poland and raised concerns about public safety, particularly in crowded areas that attract large numbers of tourists and residents.

GUNMAN OPENS FIRE ON PEOPLE IN BUSY TOURIST AREA

According to Krakow police, the attacker drove into the city's main square and began firing at people without selecting specific targets.
The incident created panic in the historic centre as people tried to escape the gunfire and find safety. Police officers responding to the emergency were also caught in the attack, with some among the injured.
Police spokesperson Katarzyna Cislo said the suspect was wearing military-style clothing and a bulletproof vest. He was reportedly carrying a long firearm when he opened fire.
Officers eventually confronted the gunman and exchanged shots with him. He was wounded during the confrontation and taken to hospital, where he remained under police supervision.
Authorities also discovered additional weapons and ammunition inside the vehicle used in the attack. These discoveries are expected to form part of the investigation into how the suspect obtained the weapons and whether he had prepared for a wider attack.

BRITISH CITIZEN AMONG THE SIX VICTIMS

Polish police chief Marek Boron confirmed that six people had died, comprising four women and two men.
Among the victims were three Polish women, one British national and two people whose identities had not yet been established when the initial announcement was made.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski also disclosed that five of the 15 injured people were foreign nationals, highlighting the international dimension of the tragedy.
The presence of foreign victims reflects Krakow's importance as a major European tourist destination. The city attracts visitors from different countries because of its historic architecture, cultural attractions and central location.
For the families of those killed and injured, the attack has brought sudden loss and uncertainty. Authorities will need to complete the identification process and provide information to relatives, including those living outside Poland.

POLICE INVESTIGATE SUSPECT'S EXTREMIST VIEWS

Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said the suspect was fascinated by far-right ideologies and held very radical views.
However, investigators will need to establish whether these beliefs directly influenced the shooting and whether the attack was planned or motivated by a specific political or ideological objective.
The discovery of several weapons and ammunition in the suspect's vehicle has also raised questions about his preparations and access to firearms.
Police are expected to examine the suspect's background, communications, possible associations and activities before the attack. Investigators will also seek to determine whether anyone else was involved in planning or supporting the incident.
Although authorities initially said the attacker acted alone, establishing his motive and the full circumstances surrounding the shooting remains an important part of the investigation.

POLISH LEADERS ANNOUNCE NATIONAL MOURNING

Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the incident as tragic and said police were investigating the attack and its circumstances.
President Karol Nawrocki also expressed sympathy for the victims, the injured and their families.
Tusk subsequently announced that Poland would observe two days of mourning in honour of those who lost their lives.
The mourning period reflects the seriousness of the incident and the national grief following the deaths of six people in a public space.
The attack has also placed pressure on security agencies to explain how the gunman was able to enter such a busy location with a firearm and carry out the shooting before being stopped.

EUROPEAN LEADERS EXPRESS SOLIDARITY WITH POLAND

The shooting attracted messages of sympathy and support from political leaders across Europe.
The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, described the incident as a tragedy that would be felt beyond Poland. She emphasised that Poland was not alone and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also condemned the violence and said Germany stood alongside Poland as a friend and partner during the difficult period.
The international reactions reflect concerns about violence in public spaces and the need for European countries to cooperate on security, intelligence sharing and the prevention of extremist attacks.

KRAKOW FACES QUESTIONS OVER PUBLIC SAFETY

Krakow is Poland's second-largest city, with a population of more than 800,000. It is located approximately 250 kilometres south of Warsaw and is widely recognised for its historic buildings, cultural heritage and tourism industry.
The Main Market Square is among the city's most important public spaces. It regularly attracts large crowds, making the shooting particularly significant for residents, businesses and the tourism sector.
Beyond the immediate loss of life, the incident could affect public confidence and raise questions about security arrangements in crowded tourist destinations.
The investigation will need to establish the suspect's motive, how he obtained the weapons and whether any security failures contributed to the attack. Authorities may also review protective measures around major public gatherings and popular tourist locations.
For now, the priority remains supporting the injured, identifying all the victims and ensuring that the investigation establishes the full circumstances of the shooting.