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A gunman has shot at least seven people as he entered the hospital in Ostrava Poruba at just after 7am this morning. The incident took place at one of the outpatient wards of the hospital according to CTK. The gunman intially fled the scene causing a huge man hunt, but shortly after 11am local time, the suspect was reported dead.

A shooting has taken place at a hospital in Ostrava Poruba

The suspect is believed to have killed himself when the police intervened, Czech Television reported citing Interior Minister Jan Hamáček.

Police have closed the hospital, as well as the adjacent university in the wake of the shooting.

Mr Hamáček confirmed the shooting took place at the University Hospital.

The Minister said that special police units, including the Rapid Deployment Unit and the Police Helicopter, were intervening on the ground.

The police said in a statement: "At the scene of the event are four dead and two seriously injured persons.

"Police are intensively searching for the perpetrator. We ask the public for cooperation, in case of any knowledge, please contact us on line 158."

At 9am local time President of the Moravian-Silesian Region Ivo Vondrák said six people have died, with several more injured.

Police are searching for a man in a bright red jacket who is about 180cm (5ft) tall.