What to know as at least six, including British citizen, killed in Kraków ‘terror attack’

At least six people including a British citizen have been killed and more than 15 people have been wounded in a mass shooting in Kraków, according to Polish authorities. Police say four women and two men were killed in the incident on Saturday afternoon, and that 12 of the 15 injured are in a critical condition. Commander-in-chief of  Poland’s police, Marek Boron, said three victims were Polish and one was British. Two are still to be identified. Two women and a man were also found dead at the perpetrators house, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed on Saturday night, adding that they are likely members of his family. Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz described the incident, which took place in the Main Market Square at roughly 3pm local time, as a “terror attack”. Kraków Mayor Łukasz Gibała signed an order declaring a period of mourning in the city lasting until Wednesday, November 11, with Tusk announcing a national period mourning for two days later on Saturday. Suspect was ‘inspired by right wing ideology’ Police said that the alleged gunman was a 25-year-old Polish citizen. “The only known perpetrator of the incident is in police custody,” they said in a post on X. “A man who had driven onto the square began firing at random people from his car,” Polish police also revealed in a statement. “The perpetrator has been detained. Several people have been injured, including police officers.” The man, who was shot by officers, used a long military-type firearm and was in military-style dress, they said. Police spokesperson Andrzej Fijolek told broadcaster TVN 24 the suspect used an AR-15 rifle and that had a firearms licence. A man lights a candle at the Main Market Square (Photo: Wojtek RADWANSKI / AFP/Getty) Forensic investigators in the cordoned off area (Photo: AP Photo/Beata Zawrzel) Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said there is no reason to believe there was more than one attacker but added that he had “very radical views”. Everything indicates he was inspired by “far-right ideologies”, he said. Six dead and 16 people injured, with one police officer in ‘very critical condition’ The regional Malopolski government confirmed the death toll is six and that 16 were injured. All 16 are receiving medical care at hospitals in Kraków. Foreign nationals who were injured come from Austria, Germany, Portugal, Great Britain, and Russia. Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk has named the two police officers injured in the Krakow shooting as senior constables Jakub Kulik and Artur Morański. He described them as “true heroes”. One of the two injured police officers is “in [a] very critical condition” and has undergone surgery, according to Interior Minister Kierwiński. “Police officers in Kraków risked their lives to intervene. Immediately. Thanks to their heroic actions, the attacker was quickly apprehended,” he wrote in a statement on X. He is said to be heading to the scene of the shooting.” Officers shot at the suspect just three minutes after receiving a call about the incident. In a later update, police said the two injured officers were now stable. An appeal has been launched for blood donations for one of the officers, who suffered damage to his lung during the shooting. The shooter was shot by police and has been detained (Photo: Jakub Włodek/Agencja Wyborcza.pl/Reuters) An armed police officer secures a cordoned off area after a shooter opened fire in a market square (Photo: Beata Zawrzel/AP) Paramedics help a shooting victim in the historic centre of Kraków (Photo: Piotr Baran/Getty) Suspect shot at public from a car using military-type firearm An eye witness told Reuters that she saw a man inside a car who started shooting before she ran to hide in a restaurant. A post from the official Kraków X account said: “A crisis response team is operating at City Hall. Emergency services are still working at the scene. I ask everyone to remain calm and act responsibly. Our thoughts are with the victims’ loved ones.” Police initially believed the car itself may also have been rigged with explosives, but Tusk later confirmed authorities had determined the vehicle posed no risk. Polish outlet Polsat News reported the shooter was also armed with a handgun. Efforts to determine the scale of the incident are ongoing (Photo: Jakub Porzycki/Reuters) A damaged store display near Kraków’s Main Market Square after the shooting (Photo: Jakub Włodek/Reuters) Polish PM praises ‘heroic’ police and asks politicians to ‘not exploit this tragedy’ In a post on X, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said: “My highest praise for the heroic police officers who risked their lives. And a heartfelt appeal to politicians of all stripes: do not exploit this tragedy. We will establish all the circumstances of this crime.” Tusk told a security briefing he was aware different accounts of events had begun circulating online, but warned the deliberate spread of misinformation was “unforgivable”. “We know very well the times we live in, we know how many people and forces, for various reasons, are willing to disinform, spread falsehoods, invent wild stories, and accuse someone without any basis,” he added. People have been urged to stay away from area and to call emergency services if they are in danger. Emergency services working at the scene, search shooter’s home The shooting took place in Kraków’s main square Rynek Glowny – an area usually teeming with people visiting the bars and restaurants on a Saturday afternoon and home to a popular Christmas market. The square has been cornered off and reports from the scene describe a heavy presence of police, fire trucks and ambulances. Emergency personnel work at the site (Photo: Jakub Porzycki/Reuters) A woman stands next to the cordoned off scene where police work in the historic centre of Kraków (Photo: Bartosz Siedlik/Getty) Poland’s president, Karol Nawrocki, said on social media that he is “deeply concerned” by the tragic event and expects “a full explanation of the circumstances” surrounding the shooting. He added that the head of the national security bureau is on his way to Kraków. Wrocław, a city north of Krakow, has also brought in tighter security measures. “It is hard to believe what happened today in Krakow,” Wrocław mayor Jacek Sutryk says in a statement. “A huge tragedy and unimaginable pain for the families who lost their loved ones.” Separately, authorities also carried out a search of the shooter’s home, where a second crime scene has been declared. Polsat News reported neighbours had seen heavily armed police conducting searches in the hours after the attack. Neighbours also told Polsat the gunman had come from a quiet family, but noted he had previously displayed “suspicious, disturbing behavior”. Britain ‘stands in solidarity’ Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed Britain’s support for Poland, writing on X: “I’m shocked and saddened by the appalling shooting in Kraków today. “My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives, everyone injured and all those affected by this senseless violence. “The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the people of Poland.” The FCDO is advising British nationals in Krakow to “follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media”. In a statement, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said: “The UK Government deeply mourns the British national and other victims who have died after the appalling attack in Krakow. “All of my deepest condolences go to the families of the victims. The UK stands resolutely in solidarity with the people of Poland.” Justice minister appeals for calm and says perpetrator will be ‘severely punished’ Justice minister Waldemar Żurek has appealed for calm and said the perpetrator will be “severely punished” in a statement on X: “I share the grief of the families and loved ones of the victims of this unimaginable tragedy… “We appeal for calm and ask that people not interfere with the work of the emergency services. We will ensure that the perpetrator of this crime is held fully accountable and severely punished.” Police guard access to the historic centre (Photo: Bartosz Siedlik/Getty) Tom Rose, the US ambassador to Poland, was among the first international officials to share his support for the country in the wake of the shooting. He said in a post on X that the “savage and murderous attack” has shattered the peace of Poland. He added: “America stands with Poland at this dark hour as Poland stands with her beloved citizens of Kraków. May the blessed memory of those lost today assuage the grief of those who mourn.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also said: “A shocking crime in Kraków. On behalf of the Ukrainian people, and personally, I extend my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. There can be no justification for this attack, and we trust the perpetrator will face justice. “We wish strength and a speedy recovery to the injured and to everyone affected by this tragedy. Ukraine stands in solidarity with Poland and the Polish people. People have the right to safety.”