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Austrian gunman shoots four dead Austrian gunman shoots four dead
(35 minutes later)
Three police officers and an emergency worker have been shot dead while trying to arrest a suspected poacher, the Austrian interior ministry has said.Three police officers and an emergency worker have been shot dead while trying to arrest a suspected poacher, the Austrian interior ministry has said.
Police armed with machine-guns are surrounding a house near the Alpine ski resort of Annaberg, where the suspect has barricaded himself in. Police armed with machine-guns are surrounding a farmhouse near the Alpine ski resort of Annaberg, where the suspect has barricaded himself in.
The man is heavily armed, reported state broadcaster ORF quoting police.The man is heavily armed, reported state broadcaster ORF quoting police.
The suspect had been arrested during the night but escaped in a stolen police car, fleeing to his house.The suspect had been arrested during the night but escaped in a stolen police car, fleeing to his house.
The civilian victim was described as a paramedic, who was driving an emergency rescue vehicle. Around 100 special forces officers are surrounding the property in the village of Melk, about 90km (55 miles) west of the capital Vienna, ORF reported.
The man had been holding a police officer hostage but officials later reported a body had been found at the scene. Sporadic shots have been fired at officers, who have described the situation as "terrible and very explosive".
Around 100 police officers are surrounding the house, which is situated on a hill in the village of Melk, ORF reported. Police have so far failed to make contact with the gunman, ORF reported, adding that relatives of the suspect have been brought in to help.
Shots have been ringing out from the property, and police are trying to make contact with the gunman, ORF said. Gun rampage
Relatives of the suspect have been brought in to try and speak to him on his mobile phone. Police tried to apprehend the suspect late on Monday after receiving information that he had been hunting illegally.
A large section of the surrounding area has also been cordoned off, with police in body armour and carrying machine-guns manning road-blocks. However, the man - said to be in his mid-50s - reportedly opened fire after driving into a ditch, injuring a police officer who later died in hospital.
A paramedic was shot dead as he tried to help the officer, and a second policeman was injured, reports said.
The gunman then fled on foot, killing a second police officer and taking a third hostage.
He stole their police car and drove, with his captive, some 60km to his farmhouse.
Officials later reported that they had discovered the body of the third policeman at the farm.
A large section of the surrounding area has been cordoned off, with police in body armour and carrying machine-guns manning road-blocks.
Armoured police vehicles have also been deployed.Armoured police vehicles have also been deployed.
An earlier information blackout was lifted after information was leaked by the media.An earlier information blackout was lifted after information was leaked by the media.