Krakow, Nov 8 (V7N)- At least six people were killed and 15 others injured when a gunman opened fire in a crowded tourist area in Krakow, Poland’s second-largest city, on Saturday afternoon (November 7).

Polish authorities suspect that the 24-year-old attacker was influenced by far-right ideology. Three additional bodies, believed to be those of his immediate family members, were later discovered at his home.

The shooting took place shortly before 3pm local time in the historic Main Market Square, a popular destination for tourists. Police said the suspect drove into the square in a car while wearing military-style clothing and began firing randomly at people.

Four women and two men were killed in the attack, which lasted approximately three minutes. The victims included four Polish citizens and a British national, while the identity of another victim had not initially been established.

The gunfire shattered shop windows and struck a tram, triggering panic among residents and tourists. People ran for cover as overturned tables and personal belongings were left scattered across the square.

Police officers pursued the suspect's vehicle. After it crashed, an exchange of gunfire took place between the suspect and police. The attacker was wounded and taken to hospital, where he underwent surgery.

Two police officers were also injured during the confrontation. One was in critical condition, while the other sustained less serious injuries, according to initial reports.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised the officers, Senior Constable Jakub Kulik and Senior Constable Artur Moranski, for their intervention, describing them as real heroes who had helped save lives.

Authorities said the suspect was carrying military-style firearms and that additional weapons and ammunition were recovered from his vehicle. He was not a member of the Polish armed forces.

Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said preliminary indications suggested that the suspect was fascinated by far-right ideology and held radical ultranationalist views.

Meanwhile, three more bodies were discovered during a search of the suspect's home in Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski, approximately 200 kilometres from Krakow. Prime Minister Tusk said there were strong indications that the victims were close relatives of the suspect.

The victims were subsequently identified as his father, mother and sister. Investigators are examining whether the suspect was also responsible for their deaths.

Tusk described the Krakow shooting as an act of terrorism and said Poland had never experienced an incident of such severity. He also warned that authorities would investigate whether anyone else had been involved and urged people with relevant information to contact law enforcement.

A large number of armed police officers were deployed across Krakow following the attack, while security was tightened in other parts of Poland, including the capital, Warsaw.

Polish authorities said the injured included two police officers and foreign nationals from the United Kingdom, Austria, Russia, Germany and Portugal.

Witnesses describe scenes of panic

Witnesses said chaos spread across the square as people fled from the gunfire.

A 24-year-old Polish university student identified as Cesari said he initially heard a loud noise but did not realise it was gunfire. He understood what had happened after seeing four bodies lying in the street.

“We could still hear the gunshots. Many people were screaming,” he said, adding that he saw someone attempting to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on an injured person.

Caitlin Shasby, a visitor from Newcastle in the United Kingdom, said she heard the gunshots from her hotel room. Police subsequently blocked the roads and instructed people to remain inside.

Another witness told Polish media outlet Interia that shots were fired through the driver's side window of the vehicle. He took shelter inside a police station near the Main Market Square, where he found several people hiding on the floor.

International condemnation

The attack prompted expressions of sympathy from political leaders across Europe.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the incident as a tragedy whose impact would be felt far beyond Poland's borders.

Leaders in the United Kingdom also expressed condolences to the victims and their families, while British authorities updated travel advice for Poland and urged citizens in the affected area to follow local instructions.

The investigation into the shooting and the deaths discovered at the suspect's home is continuing.

END/SMA/AJ