German police say several people shot dead in town of Hanau

Police in Germany say several people have been shot dead in the town of Hanau.

They added that they are searching for suspects and that at least five people have been seriously injured.

German news agency dpa reported police said people had been killed and motives for the shooting were not yet known.

Police said that according to initial reports shots were fired at two different locations - the Heumarkt and Kurt-Schumacher-Platz areas - in the town at around 10pm.

Authorities said a dark vehicle was seen leaving the first location.

Hanau is around 12 miles east of Frankfurt in the centre of the country.