The Polish city of Krakow is in mourning following a violent mass shooting that occurred over the weekend, leaving six people dead and 15 others wounded. The attack took place on Saturday afternoon in the city's historic Main Square, a location typically bustling with tourists and locals.
Authorities identified the shooter as a 24-year-old man who reportedly held far-right views. In addition to the casualties in the city center, the gunman is linked to the deaths of his parents and sister at the family home. The suspect is currently in serious condition after being wounded by police officers during the confrontation.
Witnesses described the scene as surreal, with many comparing the experience to a movie. Marie-Ange Collaer, a visitor from Brussels, described hiding in a shop, stating, “We literally ran for our lives and managed to hide from the bullets flying around. Lying on the floor in a shop like in a bad police movie whilst you hear bullets everywhere.” Similarly, U.K. resident Neil Thaxton recounted hearing gunshots and initially mistaking them for fireworks before seeking refuge in a gift shop where staff locked the doors and turned off the lights.
International visitors also expressed shock at the violence in what they considered a safe destination. American tourist Marylin Green, who is of Polish descent, expressed sadness over the tragedy, noting she had been looking forward to visiting the city. Alexandros Maronitis, a visitor from Greece, noted that his group felt fear after witnessing the shooter being taken away by an ambulance and being unable to return to their home for five hours. Elisabeth Borcek, visiting from Melbourne, Australia, stated, “We were panicking. Coming from Australia we thought it was a very safe country. But we just didn’t know what to expect. We could see people running, we could hear gunshots. And we could hear the helicopter.”
British tourist Andy Hill told the BBC that the event felt like a movie scene, emphasizing the difficulty of making split-second survival decisions under shock. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk took to social media to praise the response of first responders and civilians, stating, “In the face of the tragedy in Krakow, we saw the best in people: the courage of police officers, the dedication of paramedics, and the selfless help of ordinary people who rushed to save others.”
Krakow Mayor Łukasz Gibała addressed the city in a video, calling for unity. “In such a moment, we must all stay together,” Gibała said. “The violence won’t change what kind of city we are: Proud, welcoming and open. The square will belong to us all once again.”
