Five people have been killed in a shooting at a youth centre in northern Germany, police said.
Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident in Stade, one of whom is believed to be the suspect.
A large police operation remains under way, with residents urged to avoid the area. Police have confirmed that all of the victims are adults. The motive for the shooting remains unclear.
Authorities have described the situation as “dynamic” and rapidly evolving, with reports saying that “many shots” were fired.
Stade has a population of around 50,000 and lies west of Hamburg, forming part of the city’s wider metropolitan area.
New UpdatesView PostView PostView PostView PostView PostView PostView PostToday14:09 BST
The victims of the shooting at a youth centre in Stade are adults, police have now confirmed.
The facility includes temporary accommodation for pregnant women or young mothers with children.
The identities and ages of the victims have not yet been released.
Eliana NunesToday14:04 BST
German police said five people were killed and several others injured in a shooting in a youth welfare facility in the northern town of Stade.
Police stand near the scene where five people were killed in a shooting in Stade(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Two people have been arrested, one of whom is a suspect(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Forensic officers at the scene after five people were killed in a shooting in Stade(Image: Fabian Höfig/DPA/Cover Images)
A shooting took place in the northern German town of Stade earlier today. Police confirmed at 1.45pm CEST (12.45pm BST) that five people had been killed and have since confirmed that “several” others were injured.
Police have yet to confirm the following:
- The identities of the five people who were killed
- The number of people injured and the severity of their injuries
- The identities of those injured
- The identities of the two people arrested
- The exact time and location of the shooting
Eliana NunesToday13:46 BST
Police say five people have been killed and “several others” injured in a shooting in the northern German town of Stade.
The exact number of people injured is not yet known.
Eliana NunesToday13:40 BST
Images show a large emergency services presence in the Dankersstrasse area of Stade, where the shooting unfolded.
Armed police, firefighters and ambulance crews have been pictured at the scene.
Two police helicopters were also seen circling overhead.
Eliana NunesToday13:32 BST
German police said at around 1.45pm CEST (12.45pm BST) that five people had been killed in a shooting in the Dankersstrasse area of Stade.
The incident is understood to have taken place near a youth centre.
Police have not yet confirmed when the shooting took place or the exact location.
Eliana NunesToday13:25 BST
Two people have been arrested, one of whom is a suspect, a police spokesperson has said.
We will bring you more information as soon as it becomes available.
Eliana NunesToday13:25 BST
Police have said there is no further threat to the public.
Eliana NunesToday13:17 BST
Two helicopters are circling over Stade, German newspaper Bild reports.
According to initial reports, shots were fired in the Dankersstrasse area of the town.
The situation is evolving. The Luneburg Police Department has written on X: “Please avoid the area.”
Eliana NunesToday13:10 BST
A shooting has taken place in Stade, a town in Lower Saxony, north-west Germany.
The town, which has a population of around 50,000, is located around 28 miles west of Hamburg.
Eliana NunesToday13:07 BST
A male suspect has been arrested, the German news agency dpa reported, citing police.
We will bring more information as soon as it becomes available.
Eliana NunesToday13:04 BST
Shortly after the shooting, police announced in a community WhatsApp channel: “For your own safety, leave and avoid the area,” according to local media.
Eliana NunesToday13:03 BST
Five people are understood to have been killed in a shooting in the town of Stade in northern Germany.
A police spokesperson told German outlet T-online that there are “up to five dead”.
The exact number is not yet known.
Eliana NunesToday13:00 BST
A large police operation is under way in the northern German town of Stade, according to local reports.
According to a police spokesperson, the situation is “dynamic”, T-Online reports.