Krakow gunman who killed six dies in hospital

A gunman accused of killing six people in Krakow, Poland, has died in hospital, Polish police have said.

The 24-year-old was injured after opening fire in central Krakow on Saturday. According to ministers, he was apparently inspired by 'far-right ideologies'.

Armed police rushed to the scene and exchanged fire with the gunman. He was shot within three minutes of the attack beginning, preventing a further massacre, officials said.

Krakow police said the suspected gunman died early on Monday morning.

The shooting began shortly before 3pm local time on Saturday in Krakow's busy Main Market Square. Police later identified the attacker as a 24-year-old Polish man, but did not confirm his name.

After the attack, a minister said early investigations indicated he was inspired by 'far-right ideologies'. The minister also described him as an 'ultra-nationalist', without giving further details.

Six people — four women and two men — are confirmed to have been killed in the attack.

Four of the victims were Polish nationals, while a British national and an Austrian woman were also killed.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said three bodies — two women and one man — were found at the gunman's house when it was searched after the attack.

On Sunday, Polish police confirmed that the three people found dead at the house were the alleged gunman's 53-year-old father, 52-year-old mother and his 21-year-old sister.

Polish media have reported that the suspect had a firearms permit and may have obtained the weapons from his family home.

Sixteen people, including five foreigners, two police officers and the attacker, were taken to hospital. The interior ministry later said they were from Austria, Britain, Germany, Portugal and Russia.

After the attack, Poland declared two days of national mourning.

After travelling to Krakow, Tusk said: 'Until now in Poland we haven't had such drastic cases of terrorism... that's what we have to call this cruel attack on people's lives here in Krakow.'

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was 'shocked and saddened by the appalling shooting in Krakow'. He added: 'My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives, everyone injured and all those affected by this senseless violence. The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the people of Poland.'