A gunman drove into the crowded Main Market Square of Kraków on Saturday and opened fire at random. Six people were killed and around 15 to 16 were injured. Polish officials are treating the attack as terrorism.
Mass shootings are very rare in Poland. This one happened in one of the most visited public spaces in Europe.
Gunfire in the Heart of Old Town
Shortly before 3:00 p.m. on November 7, 2026, a man in military-style clothing drove into the square. He then fired at pedestrians and a passing tram, according to police. Officers reached the scene fast, and armed police confronted him within about three minutes of the first emergency reports. He was shot in an exchange of gunfire and taken to hospital under heavy guard.
Two police officers were among the wounded. One was reported to be in very serious condition.
Who Was Killed and Who Was Hurt
Four women and two men died in the square. Most were Polish. The dead also included a 32 year old British man and a 51 year old Austrian woman.
The injured included local residents, the two officers, and five foreign nationals. They came from Britain, Austria, Germany, Portugal, and Russia. Because the attack was random, it hit people from all walks of life.
Three More Bodies Found at the Suspect’s Home
The investigation took a darker turn when police searched the suspect’s home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, about 200 km (100 miles) from Kraków. They found the bodies of his father, mother, and sister. Investigators believe they were killed before the attack. All three had gunshot wounds.
Authorities have not yet said how many weapons were recovered in total. Reports say the suspect and his father were both licensed. They belonged to a local shooting club, and neither had a criminal record.
A Terrorism Investigation and a Far-Right Motive
Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the shooting an act of terrorism. Prosecutors have opened a terrorism investigation.
Officials say the suspect, a 24-year-old Polish man identified in local reports as Michał O., held “ultra-nationalist” views. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said early findings point to far-right inspiration. Investigators are now going through his online activity and background. They also want to know whether anyone helped him. Police say they believe he acted alone.
Prosecutors have said that despite his military-style clothing, he has no link to Poland’s army.
Why This Is So Unusual for Poland
Poland has one of the lowest rates of gun ownership in Europe, at roughly 2.5 firearms per 100 people. Getting a permit is hard. Applicants need medical and psychological checks, a background check, and a valid reason such as hunting or sport shooting.
That is why a public attack like this is so shocking. It is also why many people are asking how someone with a licensed-weapon background could carry out an attack of this scale.
A Square That Belongs to Everyone
Rynek Główny is the heart of Kraków’s Old Town. It was laid out in the 13th century and is one of Europe’s largest medieval squares. It sits within a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica. It is also lined with cafés and shops, and it is busy nearly every day of the year. The city receives about 15 million visitors a year, and most of them pass through the square.
Residents and visitors have since gathered there to leave candles and flowers for the victims. Leaders across Europe, including the UK, have expressed solidarity with Poland.
Cities Tighten Security Across Poland
Poland’s major cities moved quickly to reassure the public:
- More police on the streets: Warsaw, Gdańsk, Wrocław, Lublin, and Poznań increased patrols, especially in tourist areas, transit hubs, and public squares.
- Barriers against vehicle attacks: Warsaw’s mayor said barriers are going up on streets leading to major tourist areas, including Krakowskie Przedmieście.
- Extra funding: Lublin set aside about 1 million zlotys (roughly €227,000) for added patrols through the end of the year.
- Regional response: The Czech Republic also stepped up armed patrols in crowded places.
Parts of the Kraków square remain cordoned off while forensic work continues. Authorities say the extra security will stay in place while the investigation continues.
