Icelandic ambassador says Krakow attack left Poland in shock

Iceland’s ambassador to Poland says the country was deeply shaken by an attack in Krakow on Saturday that left six people dead and 15 injured, mbl.is reported. The 24-year-old suspect, Michal Oksinski, had killed his parents and sister before driving into a crowded square and opening fire.

The attack is being investigated as terrorism. Poland declared two days of national mourning, on Sunday and Monday.

“It was naturally a huge shock when this happened on Saturday. The whole nation was shaken,” ambassador Friðrik Jónsson told mbl.is. He said people had also shown strong solidarity and sympathy in the aftermath.

Jónsson said some political figures had tried to use the events, prompting criticism. The culture minister had formally complained about material published by a far-right television station, which Jónsson described as highly distasteful.

The ambassador was near Warsaw’s main railway station when news of the attack emerged at about 4pm on Saturday. He said police were highly visible and appeared to be on alert.

Many people are concerned about those injured, particularly two police officers who tried to stop the attacker. A fundraising campaign for the officers had raised close to 200 million Icelandic krónur, Jónsson said. A blood drive was also launched for one officer, who has a rare blood type; blood banks were soon full.

Krakow, a major tourist and cultural city, was closed on Saturday. The area around the square reopened at about 6pm on Sunday.

Jónsson said there was no reason for people to avoid travelling to Poland, describing the country as safe and the attack as an isolated incident involving one person. He also said an opposition leader had called for planned protest marches to be postponed out of consideration for the circumstances.