Poland is in mourning after a gunman opened fire in Kraków’s historic Main Market Square on Saturday, 7 November, killing six people and injuring at least 16 others. Three additional bodies were subsequently discovered at the suspect’s family home, bringing the total number of deaths linked to the incident to nine. Polish authorities are investigating possible connections to far-right extremism after the interior minister revealed that the attacker appeared to hold radical ultranationalist views.
Gunman opens fire in historic city centre
The attack occurred shortly after 3pm local time in Kraków’s Main Market Square, one of Poland’s most visited tourist destinations.
According to police, a 25-year-old Polish citizen drove into the square and opened fire on pedestrians using a military-style firearm.
Four women and two men were killed, including a British national. Among those injured were five foreign citizens and two police officers, one of whom suffered serious injuries.
Police confronted the suspect within minutes. He was wounded during an exchange of gunfire, arrested and taken to hospital for surgery.
Three additional bodies discovered at suspect’s home
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that investigators subsequently discovered the bodies of two women and one man at the suspect’s residence in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, approximately 150 kilometres north-east of Kraków.
Authorities believe the three victims were close family members of the attacker.
Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding their deaths and whether they were connected to preparations for the shooting.
Far-right ideology under investigation
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said preliminary evidence suggested that the suspect had been influenced by far-right ideology and held extremely radical ultranationalist views.
However, authorities emphasised that the attacker’s precise motives remain under investigation.
Police recovered additional weapons and ammunition from the suspect’s vehicle, while security services are examining his background and possible connections.
Poland declares national mourning
The attack has shocked Poland, where mass shootings of this scale are exceptionally rare.
President Karol Nawrocki announced two days of national mourning on 8 and 9 November.
European leaders expressed their condolences, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reaffirmed European solidarity with Poland.
Security concerns across Europe
The shooting has renewed attention to violent extremism, firearms regulation and security arrangements in crowded public spaces.
Kraków, Poland’s second-largest city, attracts millions of international visitors annually, making the attack particularly disturbing for its tourism industry and local communities.
Authorities are continuing their investigation as Poland mourns the victims of one of the country’s deadliest recent shootings.
NewsHub Finance | Europe | 8 November 2026
Poland is in mourning after a gunman opened fire in Kraków's historic Main Market Square on Saturday, 7 November, killing six people and injuring at least 16 others. Three additional bodies were subsequently discovered at the suspect's family home, bringing the total number of deaths linked to the incident to nine. Polish authorities are investigating possible connections to far-right extremism after the interior minister revealed that the attacker appeared to hold radical ultranationalist views.
Recent Comments