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Police have said the man was German and it has been reported he had psychological problems. The German media outlet the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung has reported that the driver was Jens R, 48, who lived close by to where the attack took place. The incident took place at around 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon. Neighbours described the perpetrator as a strange character who often sought conflict and officers discovered another gun in his apartment. The Sueddeutsche Zeitung said the man had psychological problems but this has not been confirmed. His exact motive for the attack is not known, German media have said that he was not known by the police as an extremist but he had tried to commit suicide in the past. Part of the medieval old town has been placed on lockdown as police, firefighters, rescue and emergency vehicles swarm to the scene. German media has reported that two other people fled from the vehicle but this has not been confirmed. According to reports the vehicle, described by some witnesses as a small truck, rammed into crowds of people who were sitting near the Kiepenkerl statue in the old town. Many of the victims were sitting outside the restaurant enjoying the sun when the van ploughed into them.

TWITTER Emergency services have raced to the scene of a possible terror attack in the German town of Munster

Erich Rettinghaus, chairman of German Police Union in the North-Rhine-Westphalia region, said: "First of all we are mourning for the victims and injured people. “Our condolences to all the injured people and the family of the dead and injured and we also wish a speedy recovery. “There has always been a high possibility of attacks in all of Germany. "Now it has also hit North-Rhine-Westphalia, so far we have always been able to prevent planned attacks in advance, this time we failed. “We now have to investigate and arrest those responsible to avoid further attacks"

TWITTER Emergency services raced to scene of the suspected van attack in Munster

A police spokesman said: "There are several dead, probably including the suspect.” When asked if terrorism was a possible motive, a security source said: "The scenario is such that an attack cannot be ruled out." Local newspaper RP Online reported that at least three people were killed in the attack and that the driver later shot himself. Emergency services vehicles raced to the scene and a police helicopter is hovering above the historic town about 300 miles west of the capital Berlin. A police spokesman said specialist officers were checking the area for explosives but did not believe there were further suspects at large.

TWITTER The aftermath of the Munster van attack

Dozens of people are believed to have been injured in the attack. Munster police have confirmed there have been fatalities and injuries. Local media said police were reporting "several dead and multiple injuries".

Munster van attack: Truck drives into crowds in Germany Sat, April 7, 2018 The truck driver has reportedly killed himself Play slideshow Twitter 1 of 6 At least 3 people are dead and dozens more injured

Police have warned people to avoid the area and steer clear of the historic old town. First pictures from the scene show upturned chairs and tables outside a pavement cafe in a public square. The area is very popular with tourists and locals alike and was packed at the time of the attack with people enjoying the spring weather.

Twitter The van ploughed into several people in the town of Munster in Germany

All available police forces and special units of North Rhine-Westphalia have been ordered to head to Münster. Neighbouring districts have also sent emergency rescue teams to the area. The Rheinische Post claimed that police have found a suspicious item inside the vehicle and they know have to found out exactly what this was. The vice government spokeswoman Ulrik Demmer wrote on Twitter: “Dreadful news from Munster.

Twitter Emergency rescue teams have been brought into the area

“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.” There is also an investigation linked to the attack at the restaurant Kiepenkel, which is a traditional place popular with tourists and locals. The mayor of Munster Markus Lewe said: “All of Munster mourns over this terrible event. “Our thoughts are with the relatives of the dead”. The Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia Armin Laschet said on Twitter: “A sad, a terrible day for our country!

EPA A police officer stands next to the area zoned off for the van incident

"My thoughts and prayers are with the relatives of the dead and the seriously injured in # Münster. "My thanks to the rescue workers and the police for doing everything to sort out this terrible incident.” Germany’s interior minister Herbert Reul is visiting Munster tonight to assess the situation. All theatre productions have been cancelled in the German city.

GETTY Special police officers are at the scene in Munster where several people have been killed & injured