Accidental shooting at shooting competition sparks controversy in Poland

During a shooting competition in Godawa, Poland, a judge accidentally shot a contestant, wounding him in the buttock. The incident, which occurred in September but was recently revealed on video, has sparked a wave of criticism over safety lapses.

The event, organised by members of the Bydgoszcz LOK Shooting Club, began with a safety demonstration by a judge, who explained the proper handling of a firearm. However, during the handling of a shotgun, the weapon was fired at close range, hitting a 68-year-old man.

In the footage, the judge is seen performing additional checks while pointing the gun in the direction of other participants. Suddenly, an unexpected shot caused a cloud of white smoke, followed by screams from those present. The injured man fell to the ground, holding his right buttock.

Although the injuries were not life-threatening, the police described the incident as an "involuntary exposure to direct danger." The case is now in the hands of the Żnin prosecutor's office.

The club's vice president initially avoided commenting, but later described the incident as an "unfortunate accident." However, criticism was not long in coming. On social media, users pointed out the seriousness of the errors committed, including the fact that the gun was pointed at vital areas before the shot was fired.

For its part, the Polish Shooting Sports Association (PZSS) denied any link to the event, stating that the vests used by the judges do not belong to its organization and that it did not supervise the competition. The association's spokesperson stressed that safety is a priority and any violation results in immediate disqualification.