Poland mourns Krakow mass shooting victims as terrorism probe is launched
Six people killed in Krakow
The shooting took place in a busy central square on Saturday. Four women and two men were killed, and 15 other people were wounded. Malopolska regional governor Krzysztof Jan Klęczar said three of the women and one of the men killed were Polish. The other victims were a man from the U.K. and a woman from an unidentified foreign country.
City pays tribute to victims
Poland’s two days of national mourning began Sunday. European flags outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels were also flown at half-mast. St. Mary’s Trumpet Call, a five-note melody played hourly from the basilica’s highest tower, was paused overnight. It was the first missed call since World War II. Klęczar said two young men intervened efficiently and selflessly, adding that the number of victims could otherwise have been significantly higher.
Residents reflect on attack
Krakow guide Krzysztof Stepien, 28, told AFP that people had heard of similar incidents elsewhere in Europe. Mass shootings are uncommon in Poland, though three school attacks in Mazovia within four days in mid-October left one person dead and many wounded, including children; the attackers used knives or other sharp objects.
Key points
- The Krakow Main Square shooting killed six people and wounded 15.
- Poland began two days of national mourning on Sunday.
- Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the suspect held far-right views.
- St. Mary’s Trumpet Call was paused for the first time since World War II.