A mass shooting across three villages near Afyonkarahisar in western Turkey has left at least eight people dead and another critically injured, as police search for the suspected gunman.
Two women were found suffering from gunshot wounds in Yukaritandir and were taken to hospital, where they later died. Three bodies were discovered in Kiyir, to the north-east, while another three were found in Ayazini to the east.
Turkish media reported that two teachers were among those killed. The injured person remained in a critical condition in hospital, according to local news reports.
The villages are near the countryside town of Afyonkarahisar, situated between the capital Ankara and the western coastal city of Izmir.
Footage published by Turkish media appeared to show a man wearing a black jacket, white trousers and glasses, and carrying a rifle beside a faded red minivan.
Police later found the vehicle stuck in mud on the outskirts of Eskisehir, a university town about 60 miles (100km) north of the shooting scene. Reports said the suspect had fled on foot.
Investigators were also examining whether the killings were connected to an earlier incident in central Afyonkarahisar, in which a woman in a car was shot and seriously injured.
In a statement, the Afyonkarahisar Governorate said all relevant state institutions had been working together since the first reports emerged and were carrying out the necessary operations.
It added: “We pray to God for mercy on the deceased citizens and offer our condolences and patience to their grieving families and loved ones.”
