A lorry has crashed into a crowd of people in central Stockholm killing at least three people, Swedish police have said.

Armed police rushed to the scene and shots have been fired, Swedish radio reported.

The incident occurred at Ahlens Mall in Drottninggatan, a shopping area of the city, which has been cordoned off.

A witness told Swedish daily paper Aftonbladet: “I went to the main street when a big truck came out of nowhere. I could not see if anyone was driving it but it got out of control. I saw at least two being run over. I ran as fast as I could from there.”

Another witness told the paper they saw hundreds of people “running for their lives” outside the shopping centre.