Munich shooting: What we know about mall attack

Special forces police enter the Olympia mall in Munich after shots were fired. Photo / AP

The German city of Munich is in lockdown following a shooting attack at a shopping centre during Friday evening rush hour.

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Here's what we know:

• At least nine people are dead and several injured, some seriously, following a shooting attack in Munich.

• One of the dead is thought to be a suspected attacker. There are unconfirmed reports a man killed himself as police were moving in. He was carrying a backpack which reportedly matched the description of the shooter. Police are reportedly preparing to use a robot to investigate.

• The attack happened at a McDonald's near the Olympia Einkaufszentrum mall, which is close to the Olympic stadium in the northern Moosach area of the Bavarian capital. It took place at around 6pm on Friday local time (4am on Saturday NZT).

• Witnesses reported seeing a man open fire inside the fast food restaurant, where there were a number of children inside. It is believed a number of children are among the injured.

• Others reported seeing three men with firearms near the mall. Police confirmed they were hunting up to three men with rifles, but were not certain about the exact number of suspects.

• An unconfirmed video appears to show a man lifting a gun outside a McDonald's, before people start to flee. A number of gunshots can be heard in the footage.

• Munich - Germany's third largest city - is in lockdown, with public transport halted, highways closed, and residents urged to stay inside, away from public places. Police have also urged people not to circulate photos or video of the security operation.

• Shoppers, tourists and locals were forced to seek refuge in shops and basements, huddled together in fear of the attacker.

• A major security operation is underway, with Germany's elite counter terror taskforce - the GSG9 - drafted in to help.

• The incident is being treated as "suspected terrorism", Munich police said. No terror organisation has yet claimed responsibility.

• German Chancellor Angela Merkel is being regularly briefed on the shooting attack. Her chief of staff, Peter Altmaier said: "All that we know and can say right now is that it was a cruel and inhumane attack."

• Munich police have set up a hotline for concerned citizens. Facebook has set up a safety check feature. Munich residents have also opened their doors to stranded people seeking shelter using the Twitter hashtag #opendoor.