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| Edited By: DNA Web Team |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Jul 23, 2016, 12:45 AM IST
Police have closed off a wide area around a large Munich shopping center after shots were fired, a spokeswoman for the police said on Friday.
No details were immediately available on injuries or who was responsible for the shooting, the spokeswoman said.
An official at the Munich Olympia Shopping Centre declined comment, saying only, "We are experiencing a problem."
The shopping center is next to the Munich Olympic stadium, where the Palestinian militant group Black September took 11 Israeli athletes hostage and eventually killed them during the 1972 Olympic Games.
Friday's attack took place a week after a 17-year-old asylum-seeker wounded passengers on a German train in an axe rampage claimed by Islamic State. Bavarian police shot dead the teenager after he wounded four people from Hong Kong on the train and injured a local resident while fleeing.
German Justice Minister Heiko Maas told Bild newspaper's Friday edition that there was "no reason to panic but it's clear that Germany remains a possible target". The incidents in Germany follow an attack in Nice, France, on Bastille Day in which a Tunisian drove a truck into crowds, killing 84. Islamic State also claimed responsibility for that attack.
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Munich police spokesman said that shooters are still on the run and an uncertain number of people are dead and wounded in the shooting.
Police has asked people to leave highways near Munich and has sealed off numerous highways in north of Munich.
U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday pledged support for Germany after gunmen went on a shooting rampage in a shopping mall in Munich.
"We don't yet know exactly what's happening there, but obviously our hearts go out to those who may have been injured. We are going to pledge all the support they may need," he said.
Supporters of the Islamic State militant group celebrated on social media a shooting rampage in a shopping mall in the southern German city of Munich on Friday that killed and wounded many people.
"Thank God, may God bring prosperity to our Islamic State men," read one tweet in Arabic on an account that regularly favours the radical Islamist movement. Read full story here.
A screen grab taken from video footage shows plain clothes police officers taking cover in the car park of the Olympia shopping mall during shooting rampage.
Munich police spokesman says witnesses saw three shooters with long rifles. The police also said that while the motive for shooting is not yet known, terror attack is suspected.
US citizens in #Munich advised to shelter in place. Media reports of shots fired at Olympia shopping mall: pic.twitter.com/DWRw6CGa7q
— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) July 22, 2016
BREAKING: German public broadcaster BR reports 6 people have been killed at the mall shooting in Munich.
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 22, 2016
Munich Police said that eye witnesses have reported shootings in Hanauer Street, Ries Street and in Olympia Shopping centre.
Munich Fire Department spokesman said that they had no knowledge of nay shooting at Stachus Central square in Munich.
Police sources tell AFP that at least six people are likely to be dead. German Rail operator says main train station is being evacuated.
The Munich Police tweeted that there have been unconfirmed reports of more violence and possible gunfire in the City Center; situation is unclear.
Munich police said that eyewitnesses are reporting 3 different people with weapons. The police advised people to either stay inside their homes or take shelter in nearby buildings.
Munich police said that eyewitnesses are reporting 3 different people with weapons. The police advised people to either stay inside their homes or take shelter in nearby buildings.
#BREAKING Three suspected gunmen in German shooting: police
— AFP news agency (@AFP) July 22, 2016
Bavarian Interior Ministry confirms three dead in Munich shooting.
Shooting in #Munich shopping mall #OEZ!! People running away to seek shelter!! pic.twitter.com/PB189s6RQy
— Thamina Stoll (@thaminastoll) July 22, 2016
Britain's Foreign Office issued an alert warning British citizens in the German city of Munich to follow the instructions of the authorities, after police there reported many people had been killed in a shooting at a shopping centre.
Police and firefighters are seen near a shopping mall amid a shooting on July 22, 2016 in Munich. AFP Photo
Munich Police spokeswoman said, "We believe we are dealing with a shooting rampage."
She added that authorities are still evacuating people from the shopping centre.
Munich Police believes that more than one shooter is involved in the shooting.
Watch this video where a man, purportedly the shooter, can be seen:
Man can be seen shooting outside #OEZ in #München pic.twitter.com/F9hctFImRk
— Roeland Roovers (@r0eland) July 22, 2016
NTV television reported that German Special Force arrived at the location.
Munich transportation authorities have said that multiple train, tram and bus lines have been halted following the shooting
Staff was still hiding out inside the shopping centre, an employee told Reuters.
One casualty was seen, severely injured.
Muencher Abendzeitung newspaper reports possible 15 deaths in Munich; Germany News channel NTV says possibly 10 dead.
