- 4d ago
Polish bishops urge protection of life from conception after Sejm abortion vote
At the close of its 406th plenary assembly in Zakopane on Saturday, 24 October, the Polish Episcopal Conference adopted an amended statute for the commission investigating sexual abuse of minors in the Church. The bishops also voiced opposition to the Sejm's abortion changes voted on Tuesday, 20 October.
- Oct 8
Roma national chaplain Stanisław Opocki dies after head-on truck collision in Poland
Stanisław Opocki, 73, died in hospital in Kraków after his car hit a truck head-on in Jurków on Wednesday, 7 October. The Conference of the Polish Episcopate announced his death on Thursday.
- Oct 7
Two hikers die at Zawrat and one suffers critical injuries at Kozia Pass in Tatra mountains
A series of high-altitude falls in the Polish Tatras left two tourists dead at Zawrat Pass and another woman critically injured at Kozia Pass after hikers ventured onto icy terrain without winter mountaineering gear.
- Oct 6
Polish firefighter indicted over fatal altercation at Biały Dunajec station
Prosecutors in Zakopane have indicted a 37-year-old volunteer firefighter for involuntary manslaughter after an August 2024 brawl at a station in Biały Dunajec left a colleague dead.
- Oct 5
Polish climber dies in 3,400-meter fall on Mont Pleureur in Swiss Alps
A 42-year-old Polish hiker died after falling from an altitude of 3,400 meters while descending Mont Pleureur in the canton of Valais, prompting an official inquiry by Swiss prosecutors.
- Oct 4
Zakopane tourist bed capacity rises 60% over a decade to reach 48,500 registered places
Municipal data shows Zakopane registered over 48,500 unclassified tourist beds by the end of September 2026. Local authorities attribute the ten-year surge to post-pandemic construction and the formal registration of grey-market rentals.
- Oct 4
Poland faces sharp autumn cooldown with 10-degree drop following 25-degree warmth
A shifting pressure pattern will lift temperatures to 25 degrees Celsius on Thursday before an active cold front drops highs to 12 degrees on Friday with widespread rain and gusty winds.
- Oct 3
Hiker injured in 100-meter fall on Orla Perć in the Polish Tatras
A tourist sustained severe head and limb injuries after falling approximately 100 meters near Kozia Przełęcz in the High Tatras on Saturday morning, prompting a helicopter evacuation by TOPR rescuers.
- Oct 2
FIS clears four Russian ski jumpers for 2026/27 season under neutral status
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation approved four Russian competitors, including Olympic medalist Jewgienij Klimow, to return to competition under individual neutral status following a four-year exclusion.
- Oct 1
Kamil Stoch joins Polish Ski Association as board advisor for ski jumping
Three-time Olympic champion Kamil Stoch will begin an advisory role with the Polish Ski Association in early 2027, serving as a liaison between athletes, coaches, and federation officials.
- Oct 1
Poland faces sharp weather shift as high-pressure warmth yields to 8°C cold front
High-pressure system Arno will maintain temperatures up to 25 degrees Celsius through Friday before Atlantic fronts and arctic air lower daytime highs to 8 degrees Celsius next week.
- Sep 30
TOPR rescues multiple unprepared hikers in the Tatra Mountains after severe falls
Mountain rescuers evacuated multiple hikers by helicopter following steep falls of up to 200 meters across icy peaks above the tree line in the Tatra Mountains.
- Sep 21
TOPR issues first avalanche alert of the season as early snow blankets High Tatras
The Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue service declared a level-one avalanche warning above 1,800 metres on Tuesday after early snowfall brought up to 16 centimetres of snow to high-elevation peaks.
- Sep 12
Poland faces cool autumn weather as IMGW warns of Tatra trail hazards
Cool polar maritime air brings cloud cover, patchy rain up to 10 mm, and temperatures between 11°C and 21°C across Poland on Saturday, alongside trail warnings in the Tatras.
- Aug 23
Police investigate suspected arson of DIOZ animal welfare van in Podhale after Morskie Oko protest
A 500,000 PLN animal rescue vehicle burned down in Groń following protests against horse transport to Morskie Oko, prompting a police arson inquiry and a 1 million PLN legal fundraiser.
- Aug 22
Police Intervene as Activists Block Morskie Oko Horse Carriages in Tatra National Park
Officers in the Tatra National Park carried away animal rights activists blocking horse-drawn carriages on Saturday, as local highlanders mounted a counter-demonstration to defend their trade.
- Aug 16
Zakopane sees August tourist peak with 18% more visitors than New Year's Eve
Zakopane and the Podhale region are experiencing their peak tourist weekend of the year, with visitor numbers up to 18% higher than last New Year's Eve and hotels at 100% occupancy, according to the Tatra Chamber of Commerce.
- Aug 12
Poland's Leon finds neighbors' note after Nations League gold, team begins EuroVolley prep
After winning the Volleyball Nations League final 3:2 against the United States on August 2, Poland's Wilfredo Leon returned to Lublin to find a handwritten note from neighbors congratulating him on the gold medal.
- Aug 9
Activists block horse-drawn carriages to Morskie Oko as dispute over fasiągi reignites
Animal rights activists blocked horse-drawn carriages at Palenica Białczańska on 8 August, demanding an end to the fasiągi service to Morskie Oko. Police intervened as protesters stepped in front of horses, a woman fainted, and a horse stumbled on the trail.
- Aug 1
Two fatal mountain accidents in Poland's Tatras on 1 August amid heatwave and storm warnings
On Saturday, 1 August 2026, a tourist and a climber lost their lives in two unrelated accidents in Poland's Tatra Mountains, amid a heatwave and dense holiday crowds. TOPR airlifted both victims to Zakopane and cautioned that high temperatures and forecast storms make the trails especially hazardous.
