A knife attack at a Benedictine abbey in the southern Polish city of Jaroslaw left one person dead and four others injured on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Police detained a 31-year-old Ukrainian citizen in connection with the incident as authorities began investigating what led to the attack.
Attack Reported at Benedictine Monastery
The incident took place at a Benedictine Sisters monastery located on the grounds of the historic abbey in Jaroslaw, in southeastern Poland. Police were called to the scene at around 9:30 a.m., where they found four men and one woman suffering from knife wounds.
All five victims were taken to hospital. Three of the injured people were reported to have suffered serious wounds, while one victim later died. Authorities have said that the deceased was a priest, although some early reports noted that officials had not initially confirmed the victim’s identity.
Suspect Detained as Investigation Continues
Police detained a 31-year-old Ukrainian national following the attack. Prosecutors said the man had entered Poland from Germany earlier that day.
Investigators said the suspect allegedly obtained a knife from a kitchen on the premises before attacking people at the site. Prosecutors said the victims included three members of the clergy and two laypeople. Two of those injured were described as being in critical, life-threatening condition.
The motive for the knife attack remained unclear as authorities continued their investigation. Police and prosecutors were working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and the events leading up to the violence.
Mourning Declared in Jaroslaw
The attack caused panic at the monastery, according to a member of the Benedictine community. Sister Barbara Dendor said there was widespread confusion when she arrived at the scene.
Jaroslaw Mayor Marcin Nazarewicz announced that the city would observe a period of mourning through the end of the week following the deadly attack. Police remained at the location while investigators worked to gather further information.
