As America reels from the worst gun massacre in US history, many are asking how they can help the victims of the Las Vegas shooting that left more than 50 dead and at least 500 injured.

Las Vegas police are appealing for blood donations as hospitals struggle to cope with the overwhelming demand for resources.

"If you would like to donate blood for the injured victims of the Strip shooting visit the Labor Health & Welfare Clinic, 7135 W. Sahara," the force wrote on Twitter.

Las Vegas City Hall appealed for residents to visit the United Blood Center at 6930 W Charleston and 601 Whitney Ranch Drive in Henderson.

But officials warned donors to make an appointment to avoid waiting in long queues.

Those not in the immediate vicinity are also being encouraged to offer financial assistance.

A Go Fund Me page set up by Clark County Commission Chair Steve Sisolak "to provide relief and financial support to the victims and families of the horrific Las Vegas mass shooting​" has already reached $64,657 (£48,700).

People are also being encouraged to donate to the American Red Cross, which accepts donations on its website, by phone in the US at 702-369-3674 or via mail at 1771 East Flamingo Road, #206B, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119.

Officials are also calling for eyewitnesses to share any footage of the attack with police to help them piece together events of the devastating night.

Las Vegas shooting – in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Las Vegas shooting – in pictures Las Vegas shooting – in pictures People scramble for shelter at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after gun fire was heard Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures People carry a person at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after shots were fired David Becker/Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after gun fire was heard David Becker/Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures A handout photo released via Twitter by Eiki Hrafnsson (@EirikurH) showing concertgoers running away from the scene (C) after shots range out at the Route 91 Harvest festival on Las Vegas Boulevard EPA/Eiki Hrafnsson Las Vegas shooting – in pictures People lie on the ground at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after hearing gun fire Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures A man in a wheelchair is taken away from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after hearing gun fire David Becker/Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures People stand on the street outside the Mandalay Bay hotel near the scene of the Route 91 Harvest festival on Las Vegas Boulevard EPA/Paul Buck Las Vegas shooting – in pictures FBI agents confer in front of the Tropicana hotel-casino after a mass shooting during a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip Reuters/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus Las Vegas shooting – in pictures Las Vegas police run by a banner on the fence at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival grounds after shots were fired David Becker/Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures An injured person is tended to in the intersection of Tropicana Ave. and Las Vegas Boulevard after a mass shooting at a country music festival Ethan Miller/Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures Metro Police officers pass by the front of the Tropicana hotel-casino after a mass shooting at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip Reuters/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus Las Vegas shooting – in pictures A woman sits on a curb at the scene of a shooting outside of a music festival along the Las Vegas Strip AP/John Locher Las Vegas shooting – in pictures A cowboy hat lays in the street after shots were fired near a country music festival in Las Vegas Getty Las Vegas shooting – in pictures Las Vegas Metro Police and medical workers stage in the intersection of Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard South after a mass shooting at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip Reuters/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus Las Vegas shooting – in pictures Sheriff Joe Lombardo (2-R) speaking during a press briefing in the aftermath of the active shooter incident on Las Vegas Boulevard EPA

Chaos ensued after the shooter, identified as 64-year-old Nevada resident Stephen Paddock, fired an automatic weapon from his 32nd-floor hotel room at revellers attending the Route 91 music festival on the strip below.

He was found dead in his hotel room by police who are now working to understand his motive and how he was able to orchestrate such a devastating attack.

Authorities in Las Vegas said they are not treating the mass shooting as an act of terrorism, despite Nevada state law defining terror as “any act that involves the use or attempted use of sabotage, coercion or violence which is intended to cause great bodily harm or death to the general population”.

Isis said Paddock had recently converted to Islam and claimed responsibility for the attack, a claim that could not immediately be verified.