Kraków shooting: five dead, 15 injured on main market square

In Kraków, a man in a Subaru opened indiscriminate fire on a crowd in the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny). According to Lesser Poland police, five people were killed and another 15 were injured. The attacker was detained; he was wounded by police officers and taken to hospital.

How the shooting unfolded

According to the TV channel Polsat News, the driver entered the square from Sławkowska Street and began shooting at random. The news site Dziennik.pl reports that he fired between 20 and 30 shots. Panic broke out on the square: people ran into nearby streets and restaurants, and bullet marks were left on the windows of local businesses.

Shots were also fired at a tram on line 1. As the newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza reports, a bullet shattered the window of the driver's cab, but according to the city transport company, neither the driver nor the passengers were hurt.

The arrest and the search for a motive

Police told the TV channel TVN24 that the gunman was detained at the intersection of Dietla and Stradomska streets. He was wearing a military uniform and had fired a long-barreled, military-type weapon. In his car, officers found a large quantity of additional weapons and ammunition.

Police clarified that the shooter is a Polish citizen and that no other perpetrators are being sought: “The only known perpetrator at this time is in police custody.” Polish media had earlier reported two attackers, but this was not confirmed. The motive is still unknown.

Police officers, firefighters and rescue workers continue to work at the scene. An air ambulance landed in front of St. Mary's Basilica. According to Polsat News, rescuers resuscitated at least one person.

Reaction from officials

According to Czech Foreign Ministry spokesman Adam Čörgő, there is currently no information that any Czech citizens are among the dead or injured. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) expressed full support to Poland and Prime Minister Donald Tusk and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Donald Tusk said that Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński is keeping him constantly informed about the situation and that police are investigating the circumstances of the attack. Polish President Karol Nawrocki said the head of the National Security Bureau is traveling to Kraków.

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Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz