Briton among six killed by 'far-right' gunman in Krakow rampage

A British national is among the six people killed in a mass shooting in Krakow, according to Polish police.

It happened in the main market square - a popular destination with foreign tourists - at around 3pm local time on Saturday.

The gunman was in military-style clothing and wore a bulletproof vest as he shot people at random from a black car.

The bodies of another two women and a man were found at the alleged gunman's home, about 100 miles (160km) northeast of Krakow.

Polish police confirmed on Sunday morning that they were his parents and 21-year-old sister. They likely died from gunshot wounds, the police said.

Video filmed in Krakow showed a police officer shooting the attacker multiple times from close range, before himself slowly collapsing.

Other footage showed blood on the floor and bystanders trying to resuscitate two victims. A third person appeared motionless nearby.

The suspect was described as "stable but very critical" after the attack.

Authorities said a British citizen was among four women, at least three of whom were Poles, and two men killed in the rampage in Krakow, which forced people to run for cover and take refuge in nearby cafes and restaurants.

'Heroic' police wounded

On Saturday night, Polish police commander-in-chief Marek Boron told reporters: "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."

Two injured police officers who stopped the attacker were described by authorities as heroic.

The pair are still in hospital, with one in a critical condition, but said to be stable after surgery.

Officials have launched an appeal for blood donations.

Mr Boron had earlier confirmed that "11 of those [wounded] are Polish citizens, five citizens of foreign countries".

There's been no update so far on their condition.

Briton among the injured

The injured foreigners are from Austria, Germany, Portugal and Russia, as well as ​Britain.

Investigations are taking place at the suspect's home, Mr Boron said.

The gunman was initially said to be 24, before authorities changed his age to 25. On Sunday they confirmed that he is 24.

The man is yet to been named but Polish interior minister Marcin Kierwinski said it's believed he was influenced by far-right ideology and has "ultra-nationalistic" views.

"The police prevented a ⁠much larger massacre that could have otherwise occurred. They fired shots at the attacker just three minutes after ​receiving the report," the minister said.

Burnham's tribute

As it emerged that a British citizen was among the dead, 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 FCDO said it is "supporting the bereaved family, and the family of another victim who has been injured".

It is advising British nationals in Krakow to "follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media".

Attack 'appalling' - Miliband

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."

Police said more weapons and ammunition were found in the gunman's car, in Krakow.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that at the gunman's home in Ostrowiec Swietokrzysk, authorities suspected "a significant amount of weaponry" might be inside and a drone was used to look inside the property.

Local media said residents were evacuated during a search by counter-terror police.

Police spokesperson Andrzej Fijolek told broadcaster TVN 24 the attacker used an AR-15 rifle in the Krakow attack and that he owned a firearms licence.

Krakow's mayor, Lukasz Gibala, has announced a period of mourning until Wednesday.

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Mass shootings are uncommon in Poland and the number of gun licences is low compared with some of its neighbours - around 411,000 among 37 million people.

Daniel Tillies, editor-in-chief at Notes from Poland, called the attack "a shocking, unprecedented event in Poland".

He told Sky News: "Violent crime is rare here, crime involving firearms is even rarer. And this kind of mass shooting is unheard of, has never happened in Poland before."

However, the country did suffer a spate of stabbing attacks in schools in the Mazovia province last month, leaving one dead and many wounded.

Authorities said the incidents were influenced by violent and extremist online content.

(c) Sky News 2026: Briton among six killed by 'far-right' gunman in Krakow rampage