Prime Minister Andy Burnham has issued a statement after a British national was among six people killed in a shooting in Poland, which left at least 15 others injured. Mr Burnham said he was "shocked and saddened" by the attack in Krakow, where a gunman allegedly drove through the city's historic Main Market Square before opening fire on members of the public.
Statement of Solidarity
In a statement posted online, the former Greater Manchester mayor expressed his condolences to those affected and said the UK stood in solidarity with the Polish people. He said: "I’m shocked and saddened by the appalling shooting in Kraków 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."
Details of the Attack
The British victim was among six people killed when the 25-year-old Polish suspect allegedly drove into the busy tourist square in the country's second-largest city and opened fire with an automatic weapon on Saturday afternoon.
Polish police chief Marek Boron confirmed at a press conference that four women and two men had died. Three of the victims were Polish citizens, while one was British. The identities of the remaining two victims have yet to be established. At least 15 people were also injured, including two police officers, one of whom was left in serious condition.
Police Response and Investigation
Officers reportedly exchanged gunfire with the suspect just three minutes after receiving reports of the attack, which was called in shortly after 3.30pm local time. The gunman was eventually shot and injured during a confrontation with police a short distance from where the violence began. He was taken to hospital for surgery and remains in a serious condition.
Police said he continued firing at officers despite being wounded. Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said early indications suggested the suspect had been drawn to far-right ideology and held "very radical" and "ultra-nationalistic" views. Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz condemned the incident as an "act of terror" against the people of Krakow.
Further Developments
The suspect is believed to have acted alone, although investigators are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack. In a further disturbing development, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed that three additional bodies – two women and a man – had been discovered at the suspect's home. Mr Tusk said: "It looks like they are members of his close family."
