Germany van crash: Driver shoots himself after ploughing into crowd in Münster leaving three dead and over 30 injured

Authorities are reportedly treating the incident, which happened close to the Kiepenkerl statue in a busy pedestrianised square, as a terror attack.

A man shot himself after ploughing a van into a crowd of people in Germany leaving three dead and more than 30 injured this afternoon.

Authorities are treating the incident, which happened in a town square called Kiepenkerl, in the western town of Münster, as a terror attack – although this is yet to be officially confirmed.=

Three people are believed to be dead, six in critical condition and dozens more injured after the vehicle was driven at high speed towards families dining outside traditional restaurants Grosserer Kiepenkerl and Kleiner Kiepenkerl.

Police said the driver shot and killed himself at the scene and they are not looking for further suspects.

First pictures from the scene show a busy pedestrianised square with a mass of chairs and tables in disarray moments after the smash.

Families previously enjoying food and sunshine close to the Kiepenkerl statue appear scattered;

tending to victims on the floor and pointing towards the devastation.

One photo shows what appears to be a grey van crashed into the side of a building.

Münster is in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany.

Police are in the process of clearing the area and part of the old town is sealed off.

Emergency services are on site with helicopters and, according to reports, officers are looking for explosives.

Police said on the Twitter the situation is still “confusing”.

A fire department spokesman said around 50 people have been affected.