Enquiries are continuing after a British national was amongst the six victims killed in a mass shooting in the Polish city of Kraków. The suspected gunman, a 25-year-old Polish national, is believed to have been inspired by "far-right ideologies" and remains in hospital after being shot by police officers.
Attack in Main Square
Four women and two men lost their lives in the attack when a gunman opened fire in Kraków's Main Square on Saturday afternoon, amongst them one British citizen. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed that a further three bodies were discovered at the suspected shooter's home in a city approximately 93 miles from Kraków.
On Sunday morning, Polish police confirmed the three additional victims had been identified as the alleged gunman's parents and his 21-year-old sister.
Official Response
During a press conference on Saturday night, Polish police commander-in-chief Marek Boron stated: "There are 16 people injured including two police officers and the perpetrator himself – 11 of those are Polish citizens, five citizens of foreign countries."
"There are six fatalities, four women and two men – three Polish persons, one citizen of Great Britain and two persons who are not yet identified."
"We are undertaking activities at the place where the perpetrator lived, so I think we will know more what those investigations bring."
Tributes and Investigation
As news emerged that a British citizen was amongst those killed, Prime Minister Andy Burnham paid tribute to the victims of the attack. Mr Burnham said: "I'm shocked and saddened by the appalling shooting in Krakow today."
"My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives, everyone injured and all those affected by this senseless violence."
"The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the people of Poland."
The suspect is yet to be named, but authorities have confirmed him to be a 25-year-old Polish national. Polish interior minister Marcin Kierwinski described the attacker as holding "very radical views" and said he "was fascinated by far-right ideologies".
The gunman opened fire in Krakow's Main Square, in the centre of the old town, at around 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon with an automatic weapon. Authorities confirmed he drove to several locations within the square, discharging his weapon at each stop.
He was subsequently shot and wounded during an exchange of fire with police officers before being taken to hospital for surgery.
Jonathan Balshaw, from Ipswich, was outside Mary's Basilica in the square with his girlfriend when the attack began. He told the BBC: "We ran down the side of the church and through the side door and hid with several other people until the gunfire died down."
"A lot of shots were fired, more than 20 with it sounding like multiple different firearms – there were two distinctly different noises."
Polish defence minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz described Saturday's deadly shooting as an "act of terror" against the people of Krakow.
The FCDO is urging British nationals in Krakow to "follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media". In a statement, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said: "The UK Government deeply mourns the British national and other victims who have died after the appalling attack in Krakow."
"All of my deepest condolences go to the families of the victims. The UK stands resolutely in solidarity with the people of Poland."
Krakow mayor Lukasz Gibala announced in a post on X that the city would observe a period of mourning until 11 November.
