At least five people have been killed and approximately a dozen others injured following a shooting at Krakow's historic Main Market Square in Poland, police have confirmed.
The incident occurred at around 3:00 pm local time (2:00 pm GMT) on Saturday, November 7, 2026, when a man allegedly drove into the busy square before opening fire randomly from his vehicle.
According to the local police department, the suspect fired several shots at people in the area, triggering panic among residents, tourists and other people who were visiting the popular public space.
Emergency services, including police officers and medical teams, were immediately dispatched to the scene following reports of gunfire.
Police confirmed that the suspect was shot by officers during the response and was subsequently taken to hospital. His identity and medical condition had not been established by the time of publication.
Authorities said investigations were underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack, including the motive behind the shooting and the exact number of people affected.
In a statement, the Krakow police department said shots had been fired in the Main Market Square, adding that officials were awaiting further confirmation regarding the scale of the incident.
Images emerging from the scene showed emergency response teams and police officers at the location as authorities worked to secure the area and attend to the victims.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the incident as tragic, saying he was being kept updated on developments by the country's Interior Ministry.
President Karol Nawrocki also expressed deep concern over reports of the shooting, sending his thoughts to the victims, those injured and their families.
In a statement shared on social media, Nawrocki said he remained in contact with relevant authorities and expected a comprehensive explanation of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He further disclosed that the head of Poland's National Security Bureau was travelling to Krakow, stressing that the safety of citizens remained an absolute priority.
Meanwhile, United States Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose condemned the attack, describing it as a horrific mass shooting that had shattered the peace of the country.
Rose said several innocent people had lost their lives in what he termed a savage and murderous attack targeting the historic central square.
"America stands with Poland at this dark hour as Poland stands with her beloved citizens of Krakow," he said, extending his condolences to the families mourning their loved ones.
The Main Market Square, known locally as Rynek Główny, is one of Krakow's most recognisable landmarks and a major tourist attraction.
The historic square is surrounded by restaurants, shops, historic buildings and public gathering spaces, attracting large numbers of visitors throughout the year.
Authorities had yet to release the identities of those killed or provide detailed information about the condition of the injured.
The motive behind the shooting also remained unclear, with police continuing investigations into the circumstances leading to the deadly incident.
