Shooting at Strasbourg Christmas market leaves at least two dead

At least one person is dead and six injured after a shooting near a Christmas market in the eastern French city of Strasbourg, police said on Tuesday.

The eastern city is in lockdown after the incident with police hunting for the gunman and urging residents to stay at home.

"Serious public security event under way in Strasbourg. Residents are asked to stay at home," the French interior ministry said in a tweet.

"Shooting in Strasbourg's city centre. Thanks to all for staying at home until the situation has been clarified," deputy mayor Alain Fontanel said in a tweet.

The Strasbourg-based European Parliament was on lockdown after reports of the shooting emerged, with MEPs, staff and journalists unable to leave the building, AFP reported.

The EU parliament is currently in plenary session, with hundreds of MEPs and officials having made the monthly visit to Strasbourg from Brussels.

France has been on high alert following a wave of attacks by militants inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda in recent years.

In 2016, a truck was deliberately driven into a packed Christmas market in Berlin after the assailant Anis Amri claimed allegiance to IS.

"Solidarity and support for the people of Strasbourg," tweeted French Ecology Minister François de Rugy, according to France 24.

"Our support too for the security forces. We are united and determined to protect the French people."