Several people have reportedly been taken hostage in a house in Karlsruhe, south western Germany. Police have said that all three hostages have been killed, as well as the gunman.

Initial reports suggest that police tried to forcibly evict the perpetrator from the property, and at this point the hostages were taken, neither of the two bailiffs are accounted for. Shots were heard.

Special police were deployed to the scene, and the entire area in the north of the city has been cordoned off.