On Saturday afternoon, a tragic incident occurred in a busy market square in Kraków, resulting in the deaths of six people and injuries to 16 others. Authorities have classified this event as an “act of terror” against the local community. The suspect, identified as a 25-year-old Polish citizen, opened fire using an automatic weapon in the Main Square, a well-known tourist destination.
Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński remarked at a news conference that the perpetrator was drawn to far-right ideologies and espoused extremely radical views. Among the deceased were four women and two men, and two police officers were injured, one sustaining serious injuries, according to Minister Kierwiński’s statement on X. The number of those wounded has since been updated from 15 to 16.
During the response, police engaged the shooter, who was subsequently wounded and taken to the hospital for surgical treatment. Katarzyna Cisło, a spokesperson for Kraków police, indicated that the assailant was wearing military-style fatigues and a bulletproof vest, using a military-type long gun in the attack. Authorities discovered numerous other weapons and ammunition in the suspect’s vehicle. It was reported that the shooter continued to engage with police even after sustaining injuries.
The attack caused injuries at multiple locations due to the perpetrator’s erratic actions around the Main Square. Cisło confirmed that the gunman acted alone and reassured the public that safety has been restored. Kraków’s mayor, Łukasz Gibała, announced that the city would enter an official period of mourning until Wednesday, while affirming its commitment to keep Kraków accessible to visitors despite the tragedy. In a video statement shared on X, he expressed, “The square will belong to us again.”
Growing interest in gun ownership in Poland
Videos shared on social media by witnesses depict individuals fleeing the main square to seek refuge in nearby streets, while first responders endeavour to revive the victims of the incident. One video shows a police officer repeatedly discharging his weapon at the assailant, who is lying on the ground, before the officer himself collapses. Additionally, photographs show a Polish Medical Air Rescue helicopter that landed at the scene.
At this time, it is uncertain whether the firearm used in the attack, as well as the guns discovered in the perpetrator’s vehicle, were legally acquired. In Poland, approximately 411,000 individuals possess gun permits in a population of 37 million, and there has been a growing interest in gun ownership. Although mass shootings are infrequent in Poland, the country experienced three school attacks in mid-October within a span of four days, resulting in one fatality and numerous injuries, including among children.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commended the police officers who responded to the tragic events in a statement posted on X. Polish President Karol Nawrocki expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the victims, the injured, and their families. A tram driver reported around 3 p.m. that an individual in a passing car fired at his vehicle, as confirmed by the Krakow municipal transport company. The incident shattered the driver’s cabin window.
The animal rights organisation OTOZ Animals reported that the assailant also shot two horses. Fortunately, both animals survived; however, one sustained a grazed injury, and the other suffered a leg wound. The horse-drawn carriages in the square are a major tourist attraction, and Kraków, Poland’s second-largest city, welcomes about 15 million visitors annually, most of whom pass through the Main Square.
After the attack in Kraków, Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski announced enhanced security measures, including installing road barriers along the main streets in the capital’s historical district.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
