Poland is in shock following a mass shooting in central Krakow by an alleged far-right extremist on the night of Saturday, 7 November 2026. At least six victims are known to have died in the incident, and a further 16 were injured. At the time of writing, it is not yet clear whether those figures include three people who were found dead at the suspect’s house, and whether the presumed shooter, who was wounded in a gunfight with police, is among the count.
Krakow, in the central south of the country, is Poland’s second largest city. The shooting took place in the historic centre, in the main market at around 3pm in the afternoon, according to a police statement which described “a man who had driven into the market square in a car and began shooting at random people from inside the vehicle.”
#Breaking: "Pray for #Polonia 🇵🇱 " Someone in a black Subaru entered the main Market Square in #Cracovia and began shooting at people. People sought shelter in restaurants. According to initial reports, there are 5 dead and 8 injured. #Krakow #Poland #Krakow #Poland #KrakowAttack #PolandAttack #KrakowTerrorAttack #WorldNews #InternationalNews
— Mukund Shahi (@Mukundshahi73) November 7, 2026
The statement confirmed that police officers too had been injured, and footage authenticated by the BBC shows an officer falling to the ground after disabling the suspect, who had used an automatic weapon, reports say.
The toll includes both Polish and international citizens. One British man is among the dead, and five of the wounded were from other countries, named by an Interior Ministry spokesperson as Austria, Britain, Germany, Portugal, and Russia.
Such a brace action by Krakow police officer! He was shot before collapsing he empties his magazine on killer ! Real heroes https://t.co/FASVaOD5Je
— Priyanka (@xxviii_priy) November 7, 2026
In the aftermath of the horror, foreign governments expressed sympathy and gave guidance to citizens in situ. The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) noted the incident on its country-by-country travel advice page, saying: “There has been a shooting in Kraków’s Main Market Square. Local police have reported that the perpetrator has been detained. If you’re in the immediate area follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media.”
Visitors and prospective tourists to the city should also note the municipality will be observing a period of mourning declared by Mayor Łukasz Gibała, from Sunday, 8 November, until Wednesday, 11 November, inclusive.
A statement by Gibała reveals that anyone going to the city should expect to see visible commemorations and be aware that the atmosphere in the destination will, understandably, be more subdued than usual. Flags will be at half-mast, black ribbons and black flags will be displayed on public buildings, businesses, and transport. All official events have been cancelled during the mourning, and the entertainment sector has been asked to show respect by lowering the tone of its offer.
Szanowni Państwo, jutro o godzinie 20:00 spotykamy się na rogu Rynku Głównego i ul. Sławkowskiej, żeby uczcić pamięć ofiar. W tym trudnym czasie pokażmy solidarność oraz to, że Kraków zawsze będzie miastem dumnym, ale też gościnnym i otwartym.
— Łukasz Gibała (@LukaszGibala) November 8, 2026
Many cultural institutions will be closed or are cancelling scheduled events. Visitors should check the status of any cultural events they were planning to attend with the organisers over the coming days.
Visitors can show their respect if they wish by signing a book of condolences, available from 9 am on 9 November in the lobby of the Kraków City Hall at All Saints’ Square (Plac Wszystkich Świętych). It is also possible to do so online, via a digital book to be found on www.krakow.pl. Signing the book, Mayor Łukasz Gibała said: “There are no words to express the depth of my pain in the wake of this tragedy. Our hearts are broken. My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims. All of Kraków stands with them in their grief.”
W holu Magistratu wystawiliśmy księgę kondolencyjną poświęconą pamięci ofiar sobotniego zamachu. Wpis w księdze można zamieścić do 11 listopada. https://t.co/VwyDyUp79x
— Łukasz Gibała (@LukaszGibala) November 9, 2026
Kraków welcomed 16.25 million visitors in 2025, an increase of about 10% compared to the previous year. It was named one of Tripadvisor’s “best of the best” for 2026.
