Unconfirmed reports from China say that up to 27 people have been killed by a gang of men who rampaged through Kunming railway station in the southwestern province of Yunnan. 109 people were reported to be injured in the attack.

China's weibo social media site is carrying graphic images of streets covered in blood and what appear to be dead bodies at the scene.

One witness who was dining near the scene said she saw men in black with long knives chasing people and was "scared to death".

A local TV station said police shot some of the attackers. Local police said the casualties are under investigation.