Several people have died after a gunman opened fire at a hair salon in a major Swedish town.

Police swooped onto the scene after members of the public reported that they heard loud bangs that sounded like gunfire close to Vaksala Square in the centre of Uppsala, a university city 44 miles north of Stockholm.

The shooter, who fled on a scooter, is still on the run, according to the reports.

A large area was cordoned off in the city 44 miles north of Stockholm and a murder investigation is underway.

A large area was cordoned off in the city 44 miles north of Stockholm

According to the police description, the man is said to be wearing sunglasses and dark clothing.

A police helicopter has joined in the search for the shooter, Police spokesman Magnus Jansson Klarin told TV4.

The Swedish Transport Administration confirmed that train traffic has been stopped due to the police operation in the area.

"Everything happened so fast. It just went bang, bang, bang," a witness told the Swedish channel.

Police officers work near the scene where several people were injured after a series of loud bangs that indicated gunfire