A gunman drove into Krakow's Main Square on Saturday afternoon and began firing at random people from his car, killing five and wounding about a dozen others; police shot him and took him to hospital, authorities said.
The attack occurred around 3 pm in Krakow, Poland's second-largest city and a popular tourist destination. “A man who had driven into the market square in a car began shooting at random people from inside the vehicle,” Krakow police said on X. “The perpetrator was shot by police officers and is currently being transported to a hospital.”
A Krakow police spokesperson told the AFP news agency that five people were killed and around a dozen wounded, adding that police officers were among the injured. The gunman was "neutralised" by officers and taken to hospital, the spokesperson said.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the event a "tragic shooting" in a post on X. "I am being kept informed by the Minister of the Interior about the situation in Krakow," he wrote, adding that "the police are investigating the background and all the circumstances of the attack."
President Karol Nawrocki also wrote on X that his thoughts were with the victims and wounded, as well as their families.
Krakow's municipal government earlier reported deaths and injuries on X without providing further details. The city, located about 250 kilometres (155 miles) south of Warsaw, has a population of 800,000.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- A mass shooting in a crowded public space in a European city raises immediate concerns about public safety and the potential for copycat attacks.
- The targeting of police officers indicates the assailant's willingness to engage law enforcement.
- The Polish government's response, including statements from the prime minister and president, signals the incident's national significance.
Background
The shooting took place in Krakow's Main Square, a central tourist area. Police have not yet disclosed a motive. The incident occurred on a Saturday afternoon when the square would have been busy.
Key Perspectives
Prime Minister Donald Tusk: called the shooting "tragic" and said police are investigating the background and circumstances of the attack. He said he is being kept informed by the interior minister. President Karol Nawrocki: expressed thoughts with the victims, the wounded, and their families.
What to Watch
- The condition of the wounded gunman and whether he can be questioned about his motive.
- Any updates from police on the investigation into the attack's background and circumstances.
- The recovery of the wounded, including any police officers among them.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 3 sources: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- Reports differThe shooting killed five people."site:reuters.com/world when:1d" - Google News: “Two killed, at least 10 injured in shooting in Polish city of Krakow, TVN24 reports - Reuters.”
- SupportedThe headline says the gunman fired at random in Krakow market square.DW English: “According to Krakow police, the gunman aimed at random people as he drove by the city's main square.”
- SupportedPolice said the attacker fired at random people from a car, was shot, and was taken to hospital.DW English: ““At around 3 pm [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. “The perpetrator was shot by police officers and is currently being transported to a hospital,” police said.”
- SupportedAbout a dozen people were wounded, including police officers.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““As a result of the incident, five people were killed and around a dozen others were wounded,” a Krakow police spokesperson told the AFP news agency on Saturday. He added that the gunman was “neutralised” by police officers and transported to hospital. A man was firing toward random people from a car driving through the city’s Main Square, Krakow police told the Associated Press, confirming the death toll. Police officers are among the wounded.”
- SupportedThe police quotation says a man drove into the market square and began shooting at random people from inside the vehicle.DW English: ““At around 3 pm [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.”
- SupportedThe police quotation says the perpetrator was shot by officers and was being transported to hospital.DW English: ““The perpetrator was shot by police officers and is currently being transported to a hospital,” police said.”
- SupportedThe attack occurred around 3 pm on Saturday in Krakow.DW English: ““At around 3 pm [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.”
- SupportedThe Krakow police spokesperson told AFP that the gunman was neutralised by officers and transported to hospital.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““As a result of the incident, five people were killed and around a dozen others were wounded,” a Krakow police spokesperson told the AFP news agency on Saturday. He added that the gunman was “neutralised” by police officers and transported to hospital.”
- SupportedTusk called the event a “tragic shooting” in a post on X.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “A “tragic shooting” took place on Saturday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a post on X.”
- SupportedTusk wrote that he was being kept informed by the interior minister about the situation in Krakow.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““I am being kept informed by the Minister of the Interior about the situation in Krakow,” he wrote”
- SupportedTusk wrote that police were investigating the background and all circumstances of the attack.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “adding that “the police are investigating the background and all the circumstances of the attack”.”
- SupportedKrakow is about 250 kilometres south of Warsaw and has a population of 800,000.DW English: “Krakow is located about 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Warsaw, the capital of Poland. With a population of 800,000, Krakow is Poland’s second-largest city, as well as a popular tourist destination.”