Five people died and more than a dozen others sustained injuries when an unidentified gunman opened fire from a moving vehicle near Krakow’s Main Market Square on Friday afternoon, according to the BBC and Polish authorities.
Gunfire on Sławkowska Street and the Main Market Square
The incident began at approximately 3:00 p.m. local time on November 7, 2026. A lone attacker drove a vehicle from Sławkowska Street toward Krakow’s historic Rynek Główny, or Main Market Square, according to reports confirmed by 24.hu. Witnesses described hearing rapid, continuous gunfire that resembled machine-gun fire as the vehicle moved through the area. According to 444.hu, the suspect wore tactical gear, a ski mask, a bulletproof vest, and knee pads, and wielded a long-barreled rifle.
The casualty count fluctuated in initial reports before official confirmation. While early dispatches from outlets like Telex noted two fatalities, subsequent updates from the BBC and Polish police confirmed that five people lost their lives. More than a dozen individuals suffered injuries, including two police officers, as reported by TVP World and cited by 24.hu. Emergency services deployed rapidly to the scene, landing a medical helicopter near the famous St. Mary’s Basilica to treat the wounded.
🚨 BREAKING! Shooting in central Krakow: Five reportedly dead At around 3:00 p.m., an unidentified gunman opened fire on pedestrians from a car traveling from Sławkowska Street toward Krakow’s Main Market Square. According to preliminary reports, five people have been killed…
Police Response and Arrest of the Suspected Attacker
Law enforcement officers confronted the gunman directly at the scene. Video footage shared on social media platform X and referenced by hvg.hu shows an officer firing multiple shots at the assailant before sustaining injuries himself. Police successfully neutralized and detained the shooter, who was subsequently transported to a hospital for his injuries. Local authorities immediately cordoned off the entire central square and diverted foot traffic away from surrounding alleyways to secure the area.
Store owners, employees, and tourists barricaded themselves inside nearby shops, restaurants, and buildings as the events unfolded. Alicja Szczepańska, a municipal councillor and former police officer, told 444.hu that a timely arriving tram provided vital cover for pedestrians waiting at a nearby stop before they sought shelter inside a gated parking area near the city hall.
| Detail | Verified Information |
|---|---|
| Date and Time | November 7, 2026, approximately 3:00 p.m. |
| Location | Sławkowska Street and Main Market Square (Rynek Główny), Krakow |
| Suspect Status | Shot by police, detained, and transported to hospital |
Leaders Respond to Shooting as Police Investigate Attack
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed the public on social media, describing the event as a tragic shooting. Tusk confirmed that the interior minister was en route to the location and providing him with regular updates. Portfolio.hu noted that police launched a comprehensive investigation into the background and exact circumstances of the attack, extending security operations into nearby streets such as Dietla Street.
Karol Nawrocki also released a statement on X, expressing deep concern over the tragedy and extending condolences to the victims and their families. Nawrocki emphasized that the safety of Polish citizens remains an absolute priority, noting that the head of the National Security Bureau was dispatched directly to Krakow to monitor the situation. Media outlets including 24.hu observed that armed assaults of this nature are exceptionally rare in Poland, where civilian firearm ownership is strictly regulated.
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