Three killed in Munich shooting spree at mall, metro station

Berlin, July 22 (IANS) At least three people have died in multiple shooting sprees at different places, including a shopping mall and a metro station, by gunmen in the German city of Munich, news reports said on Friday.

The German Interior Ministry said three people are dead. However, some reports say that upto 15 people have been killed and several injured.

The shooting was first reported at the Olympia-Einkaufszentrum shopping mall in the Moosach district of Munich.

After some time, shooting was reported at Marienplatz station in Munich.

Reports said a gunman opened fire in Stachus Square, Munich's main square just three miles away from the Munich Olympia centre.

Munich Police believe there are several perpetrators on the loose in Munich and none of have been caught yet.

A tweet from police said: "Currently we do not know where the perpetrators are. Please be careful and avoid public place."

Police have begun special operations in Munich's Karlsplatz square.

The city's transportation authorities have halted service on multiple train, tram and bus lines after the shooting.

A big operation is underway in Munich.

Terrified shoppers were seen running for their lives from the Munich Olympia Shopping Centre after hearing gunshots.

A video purporting to show the shooter, dressed in black, firing 20 shots has been posted on Twitter. The footage shows him outside a McDonald's directly outside the shopping centre, according to dailymail.co.uk.

The area around the Munich Olympia Shopping Centre in the district of Moosach has been sealed off as emergency services try to control the situation.

The Guardian reported that police in Munich are saying that they have received reports from witnesses of three gunmen in the area surrounding the Olympia shopping centre.

A German spokeswoman said: "We believe we are dealing with a shooting rampage.

"We believe there was more than one perpetrator. The first reports came at 6 pm, the shooting apparently began at a McDonald's in the shopping centre. There are still people in the shopping centre. We are trying to get the people out and take care of them," The Guardian reported.

Police have told people to stay at home and avoid the streets.

The security forces have been on alert after an Afghan teen attacked and severely injured five people with an axe on a train in Bavaria on Monday.

The authorities had warned of the danger of further attacks.