The shooting erupted in one of Europe’s largest medieval squares, a bustling hub popular with tourists and locals alike.
Jonathan Balshaw, visiting from Ipswich with his Polish partner Dominika, was standing near St Mary’s Basilica in the corner of the square when the gunfire began. “We ran down the side of the church and through a side door, hiding with several other people until the shooting stopped,” he said. “A lot of shots were fired — more than 20 — and it sounded like multiple different firearms; there were two distinctly different noises.”
Caitlin Shasby, who had arrived from Newcastle with a friend for a long weekend, said they heard the shots from their hotel room but were initially unsure what was happening. The hotel subsequently called their room, instructing them to remain inside until further notice.
