Krakow market square hit by vehicle

A man drove into the main market square of Krakow, Poland, around 3pm local time and opened fire from inside his vehicle, killing six people and injuring 15 others. The attacker, identified by local police as a Polish citizen acting alone, was wearing military style clothing and using a long military type firearm. He sustained wounds after a shootout with nearby officers.

The six victims included four women and two men. Among the 15 injured were two police officers. One officer was shot three times during the exchange of fire and suffered serious injuries. Authorities released a statement on social media detailing the gunman's attire and weapon, confirming he was wounded in the confrontation.

Early accounts of the chaos came from a tram driver who passed near the square during the attack. The driver reported that a man in a moving car shot at his vehicle, shattering the window of the driver's cabin. The Krakow municipal transport company confirmed the damage to the tram as part of its initial report on the incident.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the shooting after local media cited sources from police and fire departments. Writing on the social media platform X, Tusk stated that the minister of the interior was keeping him informed. He noted that police were investigating the background and all circumstances of the attack.

Government spokesperson Adam Szlapka later wrote on X that the event had shaken all of Poland. He added that Tusk was traveling to Krakow to oversee the response, with the interior minister also heading to the scene. Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek said authorities would ensure the perpetrator is held fully accountable and severely punished.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki expressed deep concern over the tragic events, offering his thoughts to the victims, the injured, and their families. The incident occurred in a well-known tourist destination in the country's second-largest city, drawing immediate attention to the location of the violence.

Recent reports indicate that legally owned firearms in Poland surpassed one million earlier this year. Police statistics cited in those reports showed that the country issued a record 50,700 gun permits in 2025. The number of active permits registered in 2025 was nearly double the number registered in 2015, a trend that had been discussed in Poland prior to the Krakow shooting.