6 dead, more than 10 others injured after gunman opens fire at Poland tourist attraction

A total of six people were killed and over 10 more injured after a 25-year-old Polish man allegedly opened fire at a popular tourist attraction in Poland on the afternoon of Nov. 7.

BBC reported that the attack left four women and two men dead, among whom three were Polish, one was British, and two others have not yet been identified.

A ministry spokesperson told Reuters that five foreign nationals from Austria, Germany, Portugal, Russia, and Britain were among the injured.

Shooting

The incident took place at Main Market Square in Krakow, Poland's second largest city, where the shooter opened fire at random people after driving there.

It occurred shortly before 3pm local time, where posts on social media alleged that a man in a black car drove across the square and shot people.

The attack supposedly lasted for about three minutes, police said.

BBC reported that the alleged shooter's vehicle sped through the city centre, where bullets shattered the glass front of shops and a tram was shot.

Crowds ran for their lives as gunshots were heard in the square.

HORROR IN POLAND!

Gunshots erupt at #Kraków’s historic Main Market Square as terrified crowds flee for their lives.

Multiple people dead and at least 11 injured. Police shot the suspect, who was rushed to hospital.

A tourist hotspot turned into a nightmare!

#Poland https://t.co/OGVYfgYd1f

— Smriti Sharmaa (@SmritiSharma_) November 8, 2026

The moment where police officers shot the alleged attacker was also posted online.

One 24-year-old student did not realise the loud sounds he heard were gunshots until he saw four bodies lying on the ground.

Another to the police station in the main market square to take shelter said it was "full of people hiding on the floor".

Another 3 bodies

Other videos on social media showed the aftermath of the shooting, with police officers present and crowds surrounding people lying on the ground.

Update: 5 killed & ~12 injured after a gunman drove a car into Krakow's Main Market Square on Saturday afternoon and fired randomly.

Police officers are among the wounded. Police shot the suspect at the scene near Sławkowska Street; he is hospitalized under heavy guard.

PM Tusk confirmed an active investigation.

Shooting - Cracow - Poland

— GeoTechWar (@geotechwar) November 7, 2026

🇵🇱❗️Horrible terrorist attack in the center of Krakow, Poland: at least 2 dead (some sources say 5)

A man drove into the main square and started shooting people. https://t.co/AndRj7GIFh

— MAKS 26 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) November 7, 2026

The alleged shooter was apparently equipped with military-style weapons and attire, BBC reported.

After armed police officers chased the shooter's car until it crash, he allegedly engaged in a gunfight with them, where one officer was reportedly shot once, and another was shot three times, CNN reported.

Noting that one officer reportedly has a non-functioning lung and urgently needs AB+ blood, Poland's justice minister urged citizens to immediately contact blood donation centres to help.

The alleged shooter was also injured and sent to the hospital for surgery.

Another three bodies of two women and a man were found during a search of the suspect's home about 200km away from Krakow, BBC reported.

Motive

Following the attack, Poland's defence minister denied that the suspect was a soldier.

"The man was not and is not a soldier in the Polish Armed Forces and has never had anything to do with the military," the minister said.

There were also many pieces of weapons and and ammunition in the shooter's car, CNN reported, adding that his motive was unclear.

Another minister noted at a press conference, however, that the shooter was allegedly "fascinated with far-right ideologies", holding "very radical views".

Condolences

BBC reported that on the evening of Nov. 7, a massive armed police presence was deployed across Krakow.

Security measures were also ramped up in the Poland's capital Warsaw, as well as in other areas.

BBC reported European foreign policy chief Kaja ⁠Kallas as saying it was "a tragedy that will be felt far beyond Poland".

British foreign secretary Ed Miliband said in a post on X: "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."

A period of mourning has been declared in Krakow until Nov. 11, BBC reported.