Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been shot and wounded while greeting crowds at a cultural community centre in Handlova, Slovakia.

The attack occurred shortly after a government meeting held in the town located approximately 180 km northeast of Bratislava.

According to eyewitnesses and reports from the scene, several shots rang out at around 14:30 local time (12:30 GMT), leading to immediate chaos. Fico’s security detail quickly responded, bundling him into a car and rushing him to the nearest medical facility.

Journalist Juraj Bury, present during the incident, stated: "A crowd was waiting outside [the cultural centre] and one of them started shooting." The assailant has been detained by the police as investigations commence.

Witnesses reported hearing three to four gunshots, with some accounts noting wounds to Fico’s head and chest. Local media, including the Dennik N website, indicated that the prime minister fell near a bench from wounds sustained to the head and chest. Other reports claim that Fico was hit by only one bullet to his abdomen.

Fico was initially transported by helicopter to a local hospital and was later moved to a more equipped facility in Banska Bystrica for urgent surgery. His condition has been described as life-threatening. He was reportedly still conscious on his arrival at hospital.

A statement from Fico’s team on his official Facebook page confirmed the severity of the situation, indicating that he "was shot a number of times and is currently in a life-threatening condition." The next few hours are said to be critical as medical teams work to stabilise him.

The Slovak government and local authorities are expected to provide further updates as the situation develops. The motive behind the shooting and details about the assailant are still under investigation.

The assailant has been detained by police.