BREAKING: mass injuries as heavily armed man opens fire

German newspaper Bild is now reporting that a heavily armed man has recently entered a cinema in west Germany.

It is believed that shortly after arriving on the scene in the city of Viernheim near Frankfurt, he began firing his weapon.

+++ EIL +++ 20 bis 50 Verletzte durch Reizgas. Bewaffneter verschanzt sich in Kino. https://t.co/1k2oKp9SWo pic.twitter.com/ZF4NJ1MM1Q

— BILD (@BILD) June 23, 2016

He may have also taken several hostages, reports The Telegraph citing local news sources. 

Local media is furthermore reporting that up to 50 people have been injured – with half of those supposedly sporting injuries from tear gas.

Police are at the scene.