Shooting in downtown Krakow. Mainstream

In the center of the Polish Krakow, a man opened fire on passers-by in the Main Market Square. The attack killed five people, more than ten were injured.

What happened

On November 7, at about 15:00 local time (17:00 GMT), a man drove a car into the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) in the center of Krakow and opened fire on random passers-by, police of the Malopolska Voivodeship said.

The police began pursuing the car, and then detained the man. During his arrest, he was shot. The attacker was taken to a hospital.

Wiadomosci, citing junior police inspector Jakub Mirochn of the city police department, reports that the attackers were two. At the same time, the press secretary of the voivode of the Malopolska Voivodeship Krzysztof Klenchar states that, according to him, the shooter acted alone.

Emergency services continue to work at the scene. A helicopter ambulance arrived at the main market square.

Police urged residents and tourists in the area of the square and on the surrounding streets to remain in safe enclosed spaces, be careful and not approach the scene.

How many people died and were injured

According to official data of the police of the Malopolska Voivodeship, five people were killed in the shooting, more than ten were injured. Among the victims are two police officers.

According to LoveKraków.pl, seven of the injured were taken to Krakow University Hospital. The condition of six of them is assessed as stable. The state of the seventh victim is not reported.

“The panic was terrible. People ran away in panic. I took in 10 people myself, closed the door and turned off the lights. We waited until everything calmed down, an eyewitness told Wiadomosci. She added that at first she thought it was firecrackers, but only a few shots were heard.

What is known about the attacker

According to the correspondent of RMF24, the man came to the square in a car without numbers. He was dressed in military uniform and carried a semi-automatic rifle.

According to the radio station, law enforcement officers have not yet managed to establish the identity of the detainee. According to police, the man acted alone.

LoveKraków.pl, citing unofficial information, writes that the attacker was operated on. His condition is assessed as stable.

Reaction of the Polish authorities

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the interior minister regularly briefed him on the situation in Krakow.

“I am constantly informed by the interior minister about the situation in Krakow following the tragic shooting. The police are studying the background and all the circumstances of the terrorist attack, he wrote in X.

Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration of Poland Marcin Kervinski said that he was going to Krakow, reports LoveKraków.pl. According to the newspaper, Tusk also left for the city.

Polish President Karol Nawrotsky said he was following reports of the tragedy with great concern. “My thoughts are with the victims, the victims and their families. I remain in touch with the relevant services and expect a full clarification of the circumstances of these dramatic events, he wrote in X.

Nawrotsky also said that the head of the National Security Bureau of Poland is going to Krakow. “The security of the Poles is an absolute priority!” he said.

The Minister of National Defense of Poland, Vladislav Kosiniak-Kamys, said that all the circumstances and motives of this event will be thoroughly investigated.

Words of support were also expressed by the mayor of Warsaw Rafal Tszaskowski. “My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and all the residents of Krakow. There is no violence and never will be, he said.

International reaction

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose expressed his condolences over the shooting in Krakow. He called the incident a brutal attack that violated the peaceful life of the country.

"We are only beginning to learn the details of the horrific mass shooting in Krakow - a brutal and deadly attack that disturbed peace in Poland," the diplomat wrote in X.

“America stands with Poland in this dark hour as Poland stands with its dear citizens of Krakow,” he added.

Condolences were also expressed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.