Death toll expected to rise to four after gunman opens fire at Strasbourg Christmas market

Image: CMM

The death toll is expected to rise to four and more than ten wounded in a shooting at a Christmas market in France.

Channel 7 Europe Correspondent Hugh Whitfield told Nick McCallum much of the city is now in lock down.

“He (the offender) was injured in the shootout but somehow managed to get away,” Hugh said.

“The hope is they’ll be able to catch this gunman very quickly but the hours are ticking by and you can get pretty far in Europe in a car in a short amount of time.”

Click PLAY below to hear the update from Hugh Whitfield

The gunman opened fire at Place Kleber in Strasbourg, near the German border, and is still on the run.

The city is famed for its annual Christmas market, calling itself “Le Capitale de Noel” or The Christmas Capital.

One shopkeeper told local media “it lasted about 10 minutes”.

“There were gunshots and people running everywhere.”

Mobile phone footage has been spread on social media, reportedly showing the moment the gunman opens fire.

#France #Strasbourg
First alleged footage of the gunshots in Strasbourg.
Reason still unclear.
Provisional toll:
– 1 killed.
– 3 wounded. pic.twitter.com/iNnXaVxdwh

— MrRevinsky (@Kyruer) December 11, 2018

The French Interior Minister has now confirmed at least three people are dead and 12 have been critically wounded.

The gunman has been identified and is still on the loose.

The motive behind the shooting is not known at this stage but an investigation is underway to see if it was an act of terrorism.

French Ecology Minister Francois de Rugy tweeted:

“Solidarity and support for the people of Strasbourg. Our support too for the security forces. We are united and determined to protect the French people.”