People seen fleeing gunman as witnesses tell of horror Krakow shooting that killed six
Horrifying footage has shown crowds of people fleeing for safety after a gunman in a military uniform began opening fire on members of the public.
At least six people are confirmed to have died after the shooting in the tourist hotspot of Kraków in Poland on Saturday (7 November).
Emergency services said 'shots were fired in the Main Market Square' as gunshots were heard blasting in the area in social media footage.
Other clips posted online showed people running and screaming as they tried to get away to safety, with others showing the large emergency services response arriving at the scene.
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Members of the public ran into businesses and restaurants for safety, according to witnesses at the scene.
According to local police, a man in military-style uniform had reportedly driven into the busy area at around 3pm before he opened fire, sending people desperately fleeing for safety.
The gunman, a 24-year-old Polish citizen, aimed at random people as he drove by the city’s Main Square.
Kraków is a major tourist hotspot with around 16 million visitors each year. It is the second-largest city in Poland and roughly 250km from the capital of Warsaw.
The perpetrator was also shot by police officers and was taken to hospital.
Among those shot included police, with one officer in a 'very serious condition' with numerous gunshot wounds, as per Wiadomosci.
Local police Małopolska Policja said six people had died as of 7pm, four women and two men. 16 others were injured in hospital including members of the public, police and the attacker.
"We had to take cover"
Witnesses have now spoken to local media about the incident, as a waitress at a local restaurant told reporters: "We heard a series of shots, then smoke, and a car drove by very quickly.
"The boss turned around and shouted to take cover."
Another woman, working at a local boutique told the outlet: "The panic was terrible. People were running away in panic.
"I took in 10 people myself, locked the door, and turned off the lights. We waited until everything calmed down."
Rafał Leśkiewicz, spokesperson for the President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki said Poland will now be in a period of national mourning in a post on X.
He wrote: "In connection with the tragic events in Krakow, the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, has initiated the formal procedure for declaring national mourning, which will be in force on November 8 and 9."
Katarzyna Cislo, a spokesperson for the Krakow police, said the perpetrator was wearing military-style fatigues and a bulletproof vest and he used a military-type long gun in the attack.
The attacker engaged in a 'wild ride' around the Main Square, Ms Cislo said, which is why people were wounded at several locations.
Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski announced increased security measures, including road barriers, along main streets in the old town in the Polish capital in the aftermath of the Krakow attack.
Topics: World News
James Holt
