MUNICH -- Munich police reported on early Friday evening that they were carrying out a large-scale operation in a Munich shopping center due to a shootout.

"Situation around the mall is still unclear. There are several injured people," local police said on its Twitter account.

"Please avoid the area around the mall," Munich police said, adding "stay in your homes and leave the road."

According to some witnesses who wrote on social websites, shots were fired in the center and there are people lying on the ground.

Local media Focus Online reported that the police anticipate that there are several deaths.