Kraków shooting leaves more than a dozen injured as Polish police investigate the attack
At least five people have been killed and more than a dozen injured after a gunman opened fire in the historic centre of Kraków, Poland, on Saturday, 7 November 2026. The shooting took place around 3pm local time near the city’s Main Market Square, a popular destination for residents and tourists.
According to Sky News, Polish police said a man drove onto the square and began firing at people apparently at random from his vehicle. Police officers were among those injured.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with an air ambulance landing near the market square. Police cordoned off the surrounding area and urged residents and visitors to stay away while rescue operations continued.
The suspected attacker was confronted by police, who shot and wounded him before he was detained. He was subsequently taken to hospital.
What is known about the attacker and the police investigation
Police said the gunman was wearing military-style clothing and carrying a long rifle. However, his identity, motives and any possible connections to extremist organisations have not been publicly established.
As reported in The Guardian’s live coverage, the death toll rose as authorities assessed the aftermath of the attack. Initial reports had indicated fewer fatalities, but police subsequently confirmed five deaths.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he was receiving regular updates from the interior minister and that investigators were examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“I am being kept informed by the Minister of the Interior about the situation in Krakow following the tragic shooting. The police are investigating the background and all the circumstances of the attack.”
The shooting has prompted a major emergency response in one of Poland’s best-known cities. Daily Express also reported on the attack as news of the casualties emerged.
Authorities have not yet established a publicly confirmed motive. For now, the central questions concern the attacker’s identity, how he obtained the weapon and whether he acted alone.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the casualty figures may change as more information becomes available.
