A gunman suspected of killing six people in Krakow has died in hospital, Polish police say.

The 24-year-old, who ministers said was apparently inspired by “far-right ideologies”, was injured after opening fire in central Krakow, the second largest city in Poland, on Saturday.

Armed officers raced to the scene and engaged in a gunfight with the suspect, who was shot within three minutes of the attack beginning, preventing a further massacre, officials said.

Krakow police said the suspected gunman died early on Monday morning.

After the shooting, which began shortly before 15:00 local time (14:00 GMT) in Krakow’s busy Main Market Square, police identified the attacker as a 24-year-old Polish man but did not confirm his name.

In the hours after the shooting, a minister has said early investigations indicate he was inspired by “far-right ideologies”. The minister also described him as an “ultra-nationalist” without giving further details.

Six people – four women and two men – are confirmed to have been killed in the attack.