Police say they have deployed their specialist Cobra tactical unit which handles attacks and hostage situations, alongside their normal response teams.

A disaster alert is said to have been issued for local hospitals and wounded students are being looked at in a nearby concert and exhibition hall.

The government has also reacted to the shooting, with Chancellor Christian Stocker cancelling his appointments for the day. The interior minister is said to be on his way to Graz.

  • Large police presence as several feared dead in Graz

    Bethany Bell
    Reporting en route to Graz

    Ambulance cars are seen in a street close to a school where, according to reports, several people died in a shootingAFP via Getty

    Ambulances have been gathering on a street close to the school in Graz

    Police have said that 10:00 local time (09:00 BST) they started an operation at a secondary school around the city of Graz, in south-eastern Austria.

    According to media reports, shots were heard coming from a big secondary school in Dreierschützengasse.

    The Austrian interior ministry says a number of people are feared dead, including the suspected gunman, while local media are saying police indicated he shot himself.

    A lot of people are badly injured, according to local media, including pupils and teachers.

    The police operation is still under way as they are evacuating the school building. There's a large police presence on the ground including special units.

  • Several fatalities confirmed at school - interior ministry
    Breaking

    Austria's interior ministry says several people have been killed in the shooting at the Dreierschützengasse high school, according to public broadcaster ORF.

    We already know that pupils and teachers are among the casualties and that the perpetrator is believed to have shot himself in a school toilet.

    According to tabloid Kronen Zeitung eight people have been killed in the attack, although the details have not been confirmed officially.

  • Where did the shooting happen?

    Austrian police have said the shooting took place at a federal upper secondary school on Dreierschützengasse, in the north-west of the city of Graz, not far from the main central train station.

    According to Austrian outlet Kronen Zeitung, injured students are being cared for in the nearby Helmut List Hall - an events venue very close to the school.

    Graz is the second-largest city in Austria and is located about 200km from the capital Vienna.

  • Police confirm operation under way after gunshots heard

    Austrian police say an operation is ongoing and a helicopter has been deployed in Dreierschützengasse.

    They say gunshots were heard at the Dreierschützengasse secondary school, and of the public are advised to follow the instructions of officers.

    They haven't commented on the number of casualties yet, but we'll bring you more details as we have them.

  • Suspected gunman believed to have killed himself, ORF reports

    Austria's public broadcaster, ORF, says a major police operation has been under way for almost an hour after a school shooting in Graz.

    Citing police, the broadcaster says the shooting happened at the Dreierschützengasse high school, and that gunshots were heard in the building.

    Police spokesman Fritz Grundnig tells the outlet there may be fatalities, with ORF also reporting the suspected gunman is believed to have killed himself.

  • Several reported injured in Austria school shooting
    Breaking

    Several people have been injured in a school shooting in the Austrian city of Graz, local media report.

    Police say an operation is under way after gunshots were reported at the BORG Dreierschützengasse school.

    This is a breaking story and we'll bring you updates as we get them.