At least eight people were killed in a shooting in the city of Hanau, near Frankfurt, the local daily newspaper Bild quoted a German prosecution.

The incident took place at two of Hanau's pubs, at 11 pm local time last night, at 11 miles (32 km) from Frankfurt.

At first, a man drove a car to a bar in the city centre, shooting three people and then shooting another, killing five others.

There are five people who are injured, and several people are said to be in critical condition, causing further deaths.

The killer has since escaped and was not arrested by the police, and his motive has not been confirmed.