Witnesses to the Las Vegas shooting at a country music concertreported they thought the noise of the gunshots were fireworks, before they realised the terrible truth and ran for cover.

Concert-goers reported country singer Jason Aldean was playing towards the end of the concert when the sound of gunfire rang around the arena.

People at the scene reported seeing flashes from the upper floors of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.

Kodiak Yazzi, 36, told AP that he and his girlfriend were watching the concert when they heard what they thought was fireworks.