A teacher at a school under siege during a mass shooting texted "I love you" as he and pupils sought shelter in a room. Police said that five people were shot at an education centre in Sweden and the extent of their injuries wasn’t immediately clear. The shooting has taken place in Orebro at Campus Rigberska School which is about 125 miles west of Stockholm and has several schools for both children and adults.

There are reports that the gunman shot himself and is dead, including from the Swedish outlet Aftonbladet, but that has not been confirmed by police, who said he was in hospital. Students are being sheltered in nearby buildings after parts of the school were evacuated following the violence. "Five people are confirmed shot. This is currently seen as attempted murder, arson and aggravated weapons offence," said a police statement. There are ambulances, police and other emergency services at the school.

“The reports of violence in Orebro are very serious. The police are on site and the operation is in full swing. The government is in close contact with the police, and is closely following developments,” Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer told Swedish news agency TT. A person who knows a teacher at the school says that he received a text message a while ago. "He wrote that there was shooting with automatic weapons at the school and that they had taken shelter in a room. Then he wrote that he loved me," they stated. Footage from the grounds of the campus shows people walking around as normal when suddenly firing breaks out and around 10 shots could be heard.

Lena Warenmark, a teacher at Campus Risbergska School, told SVT News that she has been confined to her study for just over an hour. "Before that, we heard gunshots very close to our study. There were probably 10 shots," she said, while describing a few bangs first in short succession, a short pause and then a few more. Head teacher of the school, Mokhtar Bennis, wrote a text message saying: "I'm inside Risbregska and I've got difficulty talking.".

While a witness reported hearing "bangs, probably gunfire" as he confirmed some parts of the school have been evacuated. Students and teachers in classrooms who could not escape have been placed into lockdown. The man told Sweden Herald: "I don't know everything. It's unclear. I'm still at the school. I've heard bangs, probably gunfire.". Hospitals in the city have been told to empty emergency rooms to prepare for the arrival of those injured so far. Police have urged people to stay away from the area as there is a "danger to life", according to police spokesperson Sophia Jiglind.

She added: "There is a risk or threat of deadly violence. The public must stay away from Vasthaga right now. We are on site with a lot of resources and are appealing to the public that they must stay away. It is very important.". She told reporters she "could not confirm" reports of a shooting. Local publication Aftonbladet reported four ambulances are already on site, with at least two more set to arrive.

A woman working at a restaurant said several teachers and students have taken shelter at the diner. She added: "They're not allowed to leave, so we're keeping them in here. It's become like a shelter. The students say that there was a masked man who went into the school or was at the school. There are between 30 and 40 people here. The police are on the scene and protecting us.". Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson speaking about the tragedy said: "It is with sadness that I have received information about the terrible act of violence in Orebro. My thoughts are with those who have been affected and their relatives. It is a very painful day for all of Sweden. My thoughts are also with all those whose normal school day was replaced with terror. Being confined to a classroom with fear for your own life is a nightmare that no one should have to experience.

"The government is in close contact with the Police Authority and is closely monitoring developments. The operation is still ongoing and it is important that the public follows information from the police. My call is also to now give the police the peace of mind they need to investigate what happened and how these horrific crimes could have happened.”. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories.