SIX people have been killed in a mass shooting inside a Czech Republic hospital.

The gunman - who fled after the rampage in Ostrava - shot himself in the head after cops cornered him.

18 Police stand guard outside Ostrava City Hospital in the Czech Republic Credit: EPA

18 Police said they were hunting this man in connection with the attack Credit: Twitter / PolicieCR

18 The suspected killer was seen inside a hospital corridor this morning Credit: Twitter / PolicieCR

18 A man with an illegal gun shot six people dead and wounded three more Credit: EPA

18 Cops were called after a 42-year-old gunman killed six people on Tuesday at a hospital waiting room Credit: AP:Associated Press

18 Armed police arriving at the hospital, which was evacuated after the shooter killed people inside the trauma clinic Credit: EPA

Police evacuated patients and medics after the horrific attack in the Czech Republic's north-east at about 7am local time, while nearby nurseries, government offices and schools went into lockdown.

The attacker shot his victims in the head from close range, PM Andrej Babis revealed.

After fleeing the bloody scene, a massive manhunt was launched in the city.

But cops later said they had "tracked down" the gunman inside a Renault Laguna.

He then started "firing from the scene" at them, before killing himself.

Police tweeted: "The 42-year-old man shot himself in the head... he's dead.

"We thank the public for their cooperation and assistance."

CCTV images of the gunman showed him wearing a red and black jacket as he stalked a hospital corridor.

The gunman’s supervisor told CT24 the killer had been seriously ill, but was aggrieved that no one wanted to treat him.

18

Those killed in the attack were all adults: four men and two women.

Associated Press said that of the three injured, a man and a woman had to be operated on, while one person was more lightly wounded.

Regional police chief officer Tomas Kuzel said the suspect used an illegally held Czech-made 9 mm gun. He said cops believe the shooter acted alone.

The force had been concerned that the gunman would carry out a further rampage, tweeting earlier today: "We are currently strengthening the supervision of selected soft targets across the Czech Republic."

Ostrava-Poruba Mayor, Lucie Barankova Vilamkova, said that schools, kindergartens and nursing homes in the vicinity had "taken security measures" and were in lockdown.

The council offices were to remain closed "until we were informed that there is no immediate danger," she added.

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Earlier, in the immediate aftermath of the rampage, cops reported that four people had been fatally shot, and two victims seriously wounded - but they have now died from their injuries, the PM has confirmed.

Police had also released a photo of the man they initially assumed was the alleged shooter.

But that man was later said to be a "witness" being sought by police.

It was the worst shooting in the Czech Republic, where gun crime is relatively rare, since a man shot eight people dead and then killed himself at a restaurant in Uhersky Brod in 2015, said Reuters.

18 Police were earlier hunting the gunman Credit: Twitter/@Czech Republic

18 The shooting happened around 7am Tuesday morning Credit: EPA

18 Police cordoned off the scene as they searched for the shooter

18 The rampage occurred at the trauma unit of the hospital's outpatient clinic Credit: EPA

18 The PM told the media the gunman shot his victims at close range in the hospital Credit: Reuters

18 People cowered behind police cars in Ostrava Credit: EPA

18 Police and paramedics were seen in front of Ostrava Hospital, after it was evacuated Credit: Alamy Live News

18 The shooting took place around 7am in a waiting room Credit: EPA

18 Patients were evacuated to safety as a result of the rampage Credit: EPA

18 Director of Ostrava police, Tomas Kuzel, talks to reporters outside the University Hospital Credit: Reuters