Shooting at Czech hospital leaves six dead

The suspect, who fled the scene in a car, turned the gun on himself

Police officers stand guard at the crime scene in front of a hospital in Ostrava, Czech Republic, where four people have been killed. EPA

An attacker shot dead six people at a hospital in the northeastern Czech city of Ostrava on Tuesday morning.

Police said they found the suspect's car and he shot himself in the head as they approached. They identified him as a 42-year-old man. Police had launched an extensive manhunt, using two helicopters, for the suspect and his silver-gray Renault Laguna car.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis confirmed that the six people had been shot in the hospital's waiting room.

"There were four dead and two injured people who unfortunately died too," he told Czech public television.

The attacker opened fire at people's heads from close range, Mr Babis added.

“I'd like to assure the public that there's no danger anymore,” Interior Minister Jan Hamacek said.

Regional police chief officer Tomas Kuzel said the suspect used an illegally held Czech-made 9 mm gun. He said police believe the suspect acted alone.

The shooting happened on Tuesday morning at just after 10am UAE in the University hospital, Ostrava, located 350 kilometres east of Prague.

Clinic director Jiri Havrlant told media the dead were four men and two women. Another man and a woman had to be operated on, while one person was more lightly wounded.

The motive for the attack was not clear.