Six dead, 15 injured as gunman opens fire at random in Kraków market square

Six people have been killed and 15 injured after a shooting in the main market square in Kraków, Poland. The gunman opened fire from his car on Saturday afternoon, spreading panic across the city.

According to local police, the man drove into the market square at about 3pm and began firing at random people from his car. The incident took place in the main market square, a popular tourist destination in Kraków, Poland's second-largest city.

Authorities said the gunman was a Polish citizen who acted alone. He was shot and wounded during a gunfight with police nearby while trying to flee. He used a long military-type firearm, the police said.

A tram driver reported at about 3pm that his vehicle was shot at from a man in a moving car while passing nearby the main square. The window to the tram driver's cabin was shattered, the Kraków municipal transport company said.

Local media first reported the shooting, citing police and the fire department. Prime Minister Donald Tusk then confirmed it. Writing on social media, he said he was being kept informed by the interior minister about the situation in Kraków following the tragic shooting, adding that the police are investigating the background and all the circumstances of the attack.

Later in the evening, government spokesperson Adam Szlapka wrote on social media that today's event in Kraków has shaken all of Poland, adding that Prime Minister Donald Tusk is on his way to Kraków. An interior minister is heading to the scene, according to reports.

Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek wrote on social media that the authorities would ensure that the perpetrator of this crime is held fully accountable and severely punished. President Karol Nawrocki said he was deeply concerned by reports of the tragic events in Kraków, and that his thoughts are with the victims, those injured and their families.

The shooting has also drawn attention to firearm ownership figures in Poland. Earlier this year, a report said the number of legally owned firearms in Poland had surpassed 1 million for the first time.

According to police statistics, Poland issued a record 50,700 gun permits in 2025, and the number of active permits registered in 2025 was almost double the number registered in 2015.