Six killed in Krakow shooting attack linked to far-right ideology

A gunman believed to have been inspired by far-right ideology killed six people and injured more than a dozen others in an attack in Krakow, Poland, on Saturday. The attacker drove onto Main Market Square, a popular tourist attraction, and fired randomly at people. Four women and two men were killed, with three being Polish, one British, and two unidentified. Among the 16 injured are five foreign nationals from Austria, Germany, Portugal, Russia, and Britain.

The suspect, a 25-year-old Polish man described as "ultra-nationalist," was equipped with military-style weapons and attire. He has been arrested and remains in hospital after having surgery. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said there were "strong indications" that two women and one man found dead at the suspect's home, around 125 miles away, were his immediate family members. Tusk described the attack as a "cruel act of terrorism."

The attack began shortly before 15:00 local time in the historic center of Krakow, an ornate square that has long been a draw for tourists. Footage showed the attacker's vehicle speeding through the center of the city, and people fleeing as the sound of gunfire rang out. The glass front of shops were shattered by bullets, and a tram was shot at during the attack, which police say lasted for around three minutes.

Armed police officers pursued the attacker's car until it crashed, at which point they engaged him in a firefight. Distressing footage captured the moment a police officer confronted the suspect as he lay on the ground. The officer, who is visibly injured, can then be seen falling to the ground. A Polish minister later said one police officer was fighting for his life and a second was expected to recover from a less serious injury.

Poland's Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said "everything suggests that he was fascinated by far-right ideologies" and held "ultra-nationalist views." Tusk vowed that any "possible supporters of the perpetrator" would be detained and appealed to the public for information. The government said the suspect was not a member of the Polish armed forces, but more weapons and ammunition were found in a car belonging to the suspect.

The attack has been widely condemned, with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham saying he was "shocked and saddened" by the "appalling shooting." British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the UK government "deeply mourns" those who died in the "appalling attack." EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the attack a "tragedy that will be felt far beyond Poland."

A period of mourning has been declared in Krakow until November 11. The city has deployed a massive armed police presence, and security measures have been ramped up in the capital Warsaw and elsewhere. Witnesses described panic and confusion around the square as the attack unfolded, with many people fleeing for their lives and taking shelter in nearby buildings.

Key points

• The suspect was linked to far-right ideology and held ultra-nationalist views.
• Six people were killed and over a dozen injured in the attack.
• The attack has been widely condemned by international leaders.