World

Nine killed in Munich shopping centre shooting

 At least three gunmen are still on the run after multiple shots were fired
 At least three gunmen are still on the run after multiple shots were fired

NINE people have been killed and an unknown number injured in a shopping centre shooting in Munich, police said.

At least three gunmen are still on the run after multiple shots were fired on Hanauer Street before the attack moved to the Olympia Einkaufszentrum shopping centre in the south German city at about 6pm on Friday.

Unverified video footage appeared to show a man taking fire at people outside a McDonald's restaurant near to the shopping centre. The sound of multiple shots being fired can be heard as shoppers and passers-by run for cover.

People were seen fleeing from the building in another video posted on social media.

Munich Police confirmed on Twitter that there had been eight deaths and an unknown number of injuries.

Police are urging people to avoid public places and said that they could not confirm if there were other crime scenes apart from Hanauer Street.

The force also tweeted: "Please don't take Fotos or Video of Police Action in order to avoid any helpful Information for the suspects."

Police have responded to the attack in large numbers. Dozens of vehicles can be seen lining the street outside the shopping centre, and a number of armed officers and a helicopter are at the scene.

A cordon was put in place and the area has been evacuated.

Rail travel and public transport in the city has been stopped and Munich's central station has been closed, according to local media.

Drivers have been urged to clear the motorways around Munich, and nightclubs in the city will remain closed on Friday night, local media said.

Refuge has been offered to people stranded around the city via social media, under the hashtag £OffeneTur - or £OpenDoor - inviting people to stay if they are unable to get home.

Facebook's Safety Check feature has also been activated so that people can let friends and family know that they are safe.

The shopping centre in the northern part of Munich is not far from the city's Olympic stadium in the Moosach district of the Bavarian capital.

A British Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are urgently seeking further information following the ongoing incident in Munich. We are in touch with the relevant authorities."

Munich Police previously said in a statement: "At around ten to six today there were witnesses who called the police and said there was a shooting at the Hanauer Street.

"The shooting moved from that street to the shopping centre. The witnesses said there were three different people with weapons."

The attack took place on the fifth anniversary of the lone wolf terrorist attacks by Anders Behring Breivik in Norway in which 77 people were killed.