Poland: At least six dead after shooting in Krakow

According to police, six people were killed and 15 others injured in shootings at the central market in the Polish city of Krakow. Three police officers were among the injured. Twelve of the injured are in a critical or life-threatening condition, the Lesser Poland Voivodeship said.

Nothing is currently known about the background. At around 3 p.m., a man drove a car into the Great Square, Krakow's main square, and fired indiscriminately at passers-by, authorities said.

Authorities appealed to people in the surrounding area to move to a safe place. Videos on social media showed that a rescue helicopter landed on the site. Eyewitnesses reported “great chaos” at the crime scene.

The suspect is said to be a 24-year-old Pole

The news channel TVN24 reports that, according to the public prosecutor's office, a 24-year-old Polish citizen was arrested. Krakow police spokeswoman Katarzyna Cislo told the station that the suspect was wearing military-like clothing and was firing with a long gun like the kind used by the military. However, Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized on X that the man was not a soldier in the Polish army.

According to initial findings, the suspected shooter is said to have held “very radical views,” as Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski explained at a press conference. The search of his home is ongoing. There are signs that he was fascinated by right-wing extremist ideologies, although this still needs to be further examined.

The interior minister emphasized that the police's "lightning-quick reaction" prevented an even bigger massacre. The officers fired the first shots at the attacker within three minutes of the first report.

The PAP news agency reported, citing a photo reporter, that the alleged perpetrator collided with another car at an intersection as he fled. He then jumped out of his vehicle and shot at the emergency services. They returned fire and ultimately arrested the man and had him taken to a hospital. The police discovered numerous parts of other weapons and ammunition in his car.

Tusk on the way to Krakow

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that he would be continually informed about the situation in Krakow. “The police are investigating the background and all circumstances of the incident,” wrote the liberal-conservative politician at According to government information, both Tusk and Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski are on their way to Krakow.

With more than 800,000 inhabitants, Krakow is the second largest city in Poland. It is considered a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. In addition to the Great Square, important sights include the castle on Wawel Hill and the cathedral. The university town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.