Six killed, 15 wounded as gunman opens fire in Krakow's main square

A gunman firing randomly from a car killed six people and wounded 15 others in the southern Polish city of Krakow on Saturday, officials said, before police shot and arrested the suspect.

The attack unfolded in the city's main square, in the historic center of Poland's second-largest city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination. Police said they began receiving reports at around 3 p.m. (1400 GMT) that an assailant had opened fire from a vehicle, shooting at people in the square at random.

Krakow police said on X that the alleged gunman was a Polish citizen, adding: "The only known perpetrator of the incident is in police custody." Authorities gave no motive for the attack. The dead were four women and two men.

Among the wounded were two police officers hurt in a shootout with the suspect, one of them seriously. Police said the attacker wore military-style clothing and carried military weapons. Katarzyna Cislo, a local police spokesperson, said: "The shooter was wearing military-like clothes and used military weapons. Many.. weapons and ammunition were found in his vehicle too."

Unverified footage shared on social media showed people fleeing as shots rang out and police sirens blared, with traditional horse-drawn carriages, a fixture for tourists, passing through or parked nearby. Other video showed two people lying on blood-spattered paving stones while bystanders tried to resuscitate them, and a third person lying motionless nearby. A man could be seen taking cover in one of the restaurants and cafes lining the square.

A witness who gave his name only as Konrad told the news website Interia: "I saw shots being fired from the driver's side window, and smoke was coming out. I ran to the police station in the main market square; when I burst inside, it was full of people hiding on the floor."

Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski praised the police response, writing on X: "Police officers in Krakow intervened, risking their own lives. They acted immediately. Thanks to their heroic conduct, the assailant was quickly apprehended." He added: "One officer sustained a gunshot wound, while another is in very critical condition with three gunshot wounds. Surgery is currently underway."

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on X that he was being kept informed about the incident and later traveled to Krakow from Warsaw, a government spokesperson said. President Karol Nawrocki said his thoughts were with the victims, those affected and their families.