A gunman influenced by far-right ideology has killed six people when he started shooting randomly from a car in the main square of the southern Polish city of Krakow.
The attack, which Poland’s interior minister described as an “act of terror,” happened in the heart of Krakow’s old town and is a major tourist hub in the country’s second-largest city.
The 25-year-old attacker drove to multiple spots in the square and opened fire at each stop with an automatic weapon, authorities said.
Although they didn’t release his name, Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said the man holds “very radical” and “ultranationalistic” views.
"Everything indicates that he was fascinated by far-right ideologies,” Kierwinski said at a news conference.
Hours after the shooting, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said authorities found the bodies of three of the suspect's close family members - two women and a man - inside of his home in Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski, a city about 150km northeast of Krakow.
“We have the next acts of this tragedy,” Tusk told reporters.
In the Krakow attack, four women and two men were killed. At least three of the women were Polish, and one of the dead was a British citizen, authorities said at a news conference.
Police were still trying to identify the other two people who were killed.
Authorities said a total of 13 people were hospitalised in serious condition, though that figure may include the gunman, who underwent surgery after the attack.
Katarzyna Cislo, a local police spokesperson, said: "The shooter was wearing military-like clothes and used military weapons. Many ... weapons and ammunition were found in his vehicle too."
The attacker engaged in a “wild ride” around Main Square, which is why people were wounded at several locations, Cislo said.
Cislo added the gunman acted alone.
Police spokesperson Andrzej Fijolek told private broadcaster TVN 24 the assailant used an AR-15 rifle and that he had a firearms licence.
According to police the alleged gunman was a 24-year-old Polish citizen. "The only known perpetrator of the incident is in police custody," they added in a post on X. They did not mention a motive for the shootings.
President Karol Nawrocki said his thoughts were with the victims, those affected and their families.
Unverified footage on social media showed shooting in the Main Market Square as traditional horse-drawn carriages, popular with tourists, passed through or were parked nearby.
A man could be seen taking cover in one of the many restaurants and cafes that line the elegant square.
"Police officers in Krakow intervened, risking their own lives. They acted immediately. Thanks to their heroic conduct, the assailant was quickly apprehended," Kierwinski said on X.
"One officer sustained a gunshot wound, while another is in very critical condition with three gunshot wounds. Surgery is currently underway."
About 15 million tourists visit Krakow annually, the majority passing through the main square.
Krakow is the second largest city in Poland and about 250km from the capital Warsaw.
with AP
