The suspect reportedly shot himself in the head (Picture: Twitter/AP/EPA/Reuters)

At least nine people have died after a ‘shooting rampage’ in a German shopping centre.

Munich was put on lockdown as counter-terrorism police carried out a huge manhunt for the gunman, later discovered to have shot himself in the head.

People were urged to stay indoors and the city’s metro network was shut down as police described the scene as a ‘rampage’ at the Olympia mall this afternoon.

Footage from the scene shows a man firing shots as people flee. Further video shared on Twitter showed people running away, with an evacuation in place and the surrounding roads closed off.




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MORE: At least three gunmen still at large, police say

Police told a news conference that the suspect was an 18-year-old Iranian who lived in Munich. They said his motive for the shooting was not clear.

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Paramedics battle to save victims

Bodies lay on the ground outside (Picture: Reuters)

Police confirmed that at least nine people were killed, with an unknown number injured, adding they were trying to ascertain if the ninth fatality was one of the attackers.

Staff in the shopping centre were still in hiding, an employee told Reuters. ‘Many shots were fired, I can’t say how many but it’s been a lot,’ the employee, who declined to be identified, said from inside the mall.

‘All the people from outside came streaming into the store and I only saw one person on the ground who was so severely injured that he definitely didn’t survive.

An attacker was said to be on the shopping centre roof

Unconfirmed reports of more violence and possible #gunfire in the City Center. Situation is unclear. Please avoid public Areas. #munich #oez — Polizei München (@PolizeiMuenchen) July 22, 2016

‘We have no further information, we’re just staying in the back in the storage rooms. No police have approached us yet.’

Police warned people to avoid the area. ‘At this time we have a major operation underway. Please avoid the area of the shopping centre,’ the local force posted online.

People leave the Olympia mall in Munich (Picture: AP Photo/Sebastian Widmann)

Evacuated people from the shopping mall (Picture: Getty)

Schüsse in OEZ – Polizei in Schusssicheren Westen sperrt das Gebiet ab #OEZ #münchen pic.twitter.com/VvHF1Y3gOE — Timm Kraeft (@TimmKraeft) July 22, 2016

Next to the shooting in Munich with the whole family. Fingers crossed we will be save home soon — Florian Maier (@Marsmensch) July 22, 2016

A photo showed a man lying on the ground outside the centre (Picture: Twitter/Marsmensch)

German media said doctors and hospitals had been placed on high alert to expect casualties.

British nationals in Germany were advised to comply with instructions from local authorities.

‘Avoid this location and follow the advice of local authorities,’ a Foreign Office spokesman said.

Thamina Stoll, studying at university in Munich, tweeted footage from the scene.

‘Helicopter, sirens and people on the street #Munich #shooting #OEZ #München,’ she said.

Fire fighters gathering at the entrance (Picture: EPA)

‘At least 30 police cars on their way to #Munich #shoppingmall according to local radio station. Area around mall blocked by police.’

An official at the Munich Olympia Shopping Centre declined comment, saying only, ‘We are experiencing a problem.’

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: ‘I am shocked and appalled by the terrible attack unfolding this evening in Munich, and the loss of life.

‘My thoughts are with those injured and the families of those killed. We stand ready to assist our friends in Germany.’

Monitoring the horrific situation in Munich. We stand with our friends in Germany as they work to bring those responsible to justice. -H — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 22, 2016

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she would work with Germany to bring those responsible for the ‘horrific’ attack to justice.

Germany had been on high alert since five people were stabbed on a train to Bavaria on Monday.