Six killed in Krakow shooting; Czech PM expresses support for Poland

Czech authorities have no information that Czech citizens were among those killed or injured in Saturday’s shooting in central Krakow, the Foreign Ministry said.

At least six people were killed and 15 injured in the attack, according to Polish authorities. Police shot and detained the suspected gunman, who was taken to hospital.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš joined other government and opposition politicians in expressing condolences and support for Poland following the attack in one of the country’s busiest tourist destinations.

Police received reports around 3 p.m. that a man was firing from a car at people in Krakow’s Main Market Square. Authorities said those killed included four women and two men. Two police officers were among the injured, one seriously, Reuters reported. No motive had been announced.

Police identified the suspect as a 24-year-old Polish citizen. A police spokeswoman said he acted alone and that the public was safe, according to The Associated Press. Officers found additional weapons and ammunition in his vehicle.

Krakow’s municipal authorities said the suspect was detained near the intersection of Dietla and Stradomska streets after officers shot him.

The city also reported that a person firing from a passing car struck a Line 1 tram at Plac Wszystkich Świętych, breaking the driver’s cabin window. Neither the driver nor passengers were injured.

Authorities urged people to stay away from locations where police and emergency crews were working and to follow instructions from the services. A crisis team was established at City Hall.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Adam Čörgő told ČTK that Czech diplomacy had no information about Czech nationals among the casualties. That assessment remains preliminary as authorities establish the identities of those affected.

“I am thinking of all the victims, their families and loved ones. I wish the injured the fastest possible recovery,” Babiš wrote in a statement on X.

He expressed full support for Poland and Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

The Czech Foreign Ministry and Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar also offered condolences. “In these difficult moments, we stand with our Polish neighbors,” Metnar said.

Opposition ODS leader Martin Kupka described the reports as horrifying and expressed sympathy for the victims’ families and those injured.

Tusk said Poland’s interior minister was keeping him informed and that police were investigating the circumstances and background of the attack.