The key facts

  • National mourning is scheduled for November 8 and 9; the city mourning in Kraków will last from November 8 to 11
  • Six people were killed and 15 injured, with 12 of the wounded reported to be in serious condition
  • Tusk called the attack a terrorist act; the defense minister said the shooter was not a member of the military

Mourning at two levels of government

The Polish authorities intend to declare a two-day national mourning in connection with the mass shooting in Kraków, which claimed six lives. The days of remembrance for the victims are scheduled for November 8 and 9; this was reported by the chancellery of President Karol Nawrocki. The head of state initiated the relevant procedure, and the draft resolution is to be sent for signature to Prime Minister Donald Tusk (according to Life.ru).

What happened and what is known about the victims

The tragedy occurred on the afternoon of November 7 on Kraków's Main Market Square: an armed man in camouflage opened fire on pedestrians from a Subaru car without license plates. When police attempted to detain him, he engaged in a shootout with officers and was wounded; the shooter was taken to hospital under law enforcement guard. Six people were killed and 15 more were injured in the attack, with 12 of the wounded reported to be in serious condition. The updated figure of six dead was confirmed by the head of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Jan Klenchar, who warned that the injured were in serious condition.

Measures in the city itself and the authorities' assessments

In parallel with the national measures, the Kraków authorities declared a four-day city mourning from November 8 to 11 inclusive: municipal entertainment events will be cancelled in the city, and state flags on buildings will be lowered to half-mast or adorned with black ribbons. Thus, the days of remembrance at the national and city levels do not coincide in duration — the national mourning covers November 8–9, while the city mourning lasts two days longer. The President of Poland expressed condolences to the families of the victims and demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy. Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the incident a terrorist act, but the motives of the attack are still being established. The country's defense minister, for his part, stated that the shooter was not a member of the military.

Poland's defense minister said the shooter in Kraków was not a member of the military