POLAND · SECURITY
Published Saturday, 7 November, 1:00 p.m. ET · Source: Małopolska Police, Poland’s Interior Ministry, Prime Minister’s Office
A gunman drove a car into Kraków’s Main Square on Saturday afternoon and fired on people at random, Polish police say. Six people have died and more than a dozen are wounded.
Police shot the suspect, a Polish citizen, and he is in hospital. Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the shooting an attack.
Key Facts
- What A gunman fired on people in Kraków’s Main Square at about 3 p.m. (9 a.m. ET).
- Toll Police say six people are dead, four women and two men, and more than a dozen are wounded.
- Suspect A Polish citizen in his twenties was shot by police, detained and taken to hospital.
- Police Two officers are wounded, one in very serious condition, Poland’s Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński says.
- As of 7 November, about 6:30 p.m. Kraków time (12:30 p.m. ET)
What Happened on Saturday
Police in the Małopolska region around Kraków say a man drove a car into the Main Square at about 3 p.m. and began shooting at random people. Officers shot him and detained him at the junction of Stradomska and Dietla streets.
A police spokeswoman said the suspect fired a military-type long gun and wore camouflage and a bulletproof vest. Police have not said how many shots were fired or how long the attack lasted.
Poland’s Interior Minister, Marcin Kierwiński, said two police officers were wounded. One has a gunshot wound, and the other is in very serious condition after being hit three times.
Police also dismissed unverified reports that two attackers were involved. At this point the only known suspect is the man in custody.
In Plain English
Rynek Główny, the Main Market Square, is the medieval heart of Kraków and one of the largest town squares in Europe. Małopolska is the Polish province around the city, and its police lead the response.
The Toll Rose Through the Afternoon
Police first reported five dead and more than a dozen wounded. Later in the evening they said a sixth victim had died: four women and two men.
Poland’s Response
Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the shooting an attack and said police are examining its background and every circumstance. He praised the officers who stopped the gunman and appealed to politicians of all parties not to play politics with the tragedy.
Bartosz Grodecki, head of the National Security Bureau, the presidential security office, was due in Kraków as security chiefs met. We will add further official statements as they come.
What It Means for Travellers and US Readers
Kraków is a popular stop for visitors from the United States and across Europe, and the square was busy on a Saturday afternoon. Anyone in the city should follow instructions from Polish police and rely on official channels for updates.
Travellers with plans to visit Kraków should check the travel advice of their own government before they go. Poland is a member of NATO and the European Union.
What Is Not Known
Police have not named the suspect or announced a motive, and it is not yet clear whether he acted alone. The final death toll may still change, because it rose from five to six within hours.
The nationalities of the dead and the wounded have not been published, and officials have not said how the gunman obtained his weapon. We will rewrite this article as officials confirm more.
More: Poland Politics Explained, Who Holds Power in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Kraków?
On Saturday 7 November at about 3 p.m., a man drove a car into Kraków’s Main Square and shot at people, police say. Officers shot and detained him.
How many people died?
Police said later on Saturday that six people had died, four women and two men, and more than a dozen were wounded. The toll rose from five earlier in the afternoon.
Is it safe to visit Kraków?
Police have detained the only known suspect. Travellers should follow police instructions and check their own government’s travel advice.
Sources: Małopolska Police (regional police); Poland’s Interior Ministry; Prime Minister’s Office of Poland; statements of 7 November 2026, read the same day.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated AI newsroom. Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief. How we use AI · Report an error