Five killed in shooting at youth care centre in northern Germany

Five people were killed and several others injured in a shooting in the northern German city of Stade, police said on Monday.

"There are several people who have been injured, some seriously," a police spokeswoman told dpa.

Police have detained two people, including the suspected gunman, she said.

"Shots were fired near a youth centre in the city centre," a spokesman told dpa in response to an enquiry. 

The facility provides residential accommodation for mothers and their children, a police spokeswoman said. 

Authorities have not released further details about the victims or a possible motive, but they specified that those killed were adults. Investigations are ongoing.

The Lüneburg police department advised the public to avoid the area in a post on X, but later added that there was no danger to the public. 

Pictures showed several emergency services personnel, ambulances and police cars. Women with babies were also standing by the roadside.

Stade is located roughly 40 kilometres west of Hamburg.