Poland: Gunman kills 6 in Krakow main square, police say

At least six people were killed and 16 injured in a shooting on the main market square in the southern Polish city of Krakow on Saturday, officials said.

The suspect, a 25-year-old Polish man who allegedly acted alone, was wounded during an exchange of fire with police, authorities said.

"Until now in Poland we haven't had such drastic cases of terrorism," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters in Krakow.

"That's what we have to call this cruel attack on people's lives here in Krakow," he added. 

Shooter aimed at random people, police say

The gunman aimed at random people as he drove through the city's main square, which is a popular tourist attraction. 

"At around 3 p.m. (1400 GMT), a man who had driven into the market square in a car began shooting at random people from inside the vehicle," police said on X, adding officers were among the wounded. 

Deadly shooting at popular Krakow tourist spot kills 6

"The perpetrator was shot by police ‌officers and is currently being ‌transported ​to a hospital," police said. Authorities later clarified that the man drove to multiple spots in the square and opened fire at each with an automatic weapon.

Later Saturday evening, Polish police chief Marek Boron said a British citizen was among those killed.

"There are six fatalities: four women and two men; three Polish women, one British national, and two people who have not yet been identified," Boron told reporters.

Krakow police had earlier said that five of the 16 people injured in the shooting were non-Polish nationals. An Interior Ministry spokesperson confirmed that they came from Austria, Germany, Portugal, Russia and Britain.

Bodies found in shooter's house 

On Saturday night, Tusk said that the bodies of two women and a man were found in the suspected shooter's home by police.

There was "much to suggest that they are members of the [suspect's] immediate family." 

The residence is located in Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski, a city about 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of Krakow.

"We have the next acts of this tragedy," Tusk told reporters.

Shooter fascinated by 'far-right' views

Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said that the suspect, whom he declined to identify, was "fascinated by far-right ideologies" and held "ultranationalistic" and "very radical" views.

The man wore military-style fatigues and a bulletproof vest and used a long gun in the attack, said Katarzyna Cislo, a spokesperson for the Krakow police,

Numerous other weapons and ammunition were found in the suspected gunman's car. 

Poland to observe 2 days of mourning 

Prime Minister Tusk posted on X that police were investigating the attack and called it a "tragic" incident. 

Tusk later said Poland would observe two days of mourning for the victims of the shooting. 

Polish President Karol Nawrocki wrote on X that his thoughts were with the victims and wounded, as well as their families. 

'Poland does not stand alone,' European politicians show support

The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said the shooting was a tragedy that will be felt far beyond Poland, adding that "Poland does not stand alone."

"I am deeply saddened by the events in Krakow. My thoughts are with the victims and their families," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on X, adding that "Germany stands alongside Poland as a friend and partner during these difficult times."

Krakow is located about 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Warsaw, the capital of Poland.

With a population of over 800,000, Krakow is Poland's second-largest city, as well as a popular tourist destination.