The key facts

  • Six dead and 16 wounded, including two police officers, in a shooting near Kraków's Main Market Square on Saturday
  • Polish prosecutors opened an investigation on terrorism charges
  • The bodies of the 24-year-old suspect's parents and sister were found in his home; a two-day national mourning period has been declared

What happened in Kraków

On Saturday afternoon, near the Main Market Square in Kraków — one of the city's main tourist hubs — an armed attacker opened fire on civilians. According to the Polish side, six people were killed and 16 others were wounded, including two police officers. UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday 'strongly condemned' the attack and expressed condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Poland; the statement on his behalf was issued by his official spokesman Stéphane Dujarric, Anadolu reports.

The investigation and the suspect's fate

On Sunday, Polish prosecutors opened an investigation on terrorism charges. The suspect has been identified as a 24-year-old Polish citizen: he was wounded in a shootout with police and remains hospitalized in critical condition. During a subsequent search of his residence, police found three additional bodies — according to the investigation, they are the suspect's parents and sister. Following the tragedy, Poland declared a two-day national mourning period, which began on Sunday.