A gunman has killed several people in a care home in central Croatia, police say.

Local media reported five people were killed and others were wounded at the home in the town of Daruvar.

The Index news portal said the suspect fled the scene after the incident but police caught him in a cafe near the home.

Police said they were informed a man using firearms had killed and wounded several people at the home after 10am.

Image:
Pic: Pixsell/Reuters

Police secure the scene in Daruvar, Croatia. Pic: Pixsell/Reuters
Image:
Pic: Pixsell/Reuters

A statement by the regional police said the suspect is “under supervision”.

“We are appalled by the murder of five people in the home for the elderly in Daruvar,” Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic tweeted. “We express our condolences to the families of the victims and hope for the recovery of the wounded.”

The gunman was born in 1973, was a former fighter from the 1991-95 war in Croatia and a relative of one of the nursing home’s residents, according to N1 regional television.

Authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack.

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The mayor of Daruvar, Damir Lnenicek, told N1 that everyone was shocked by the attack.

“What is the cause, the trigger, it is difficult to say, that will be determined by the investigation,” Mr Lnenicek said.

He said the tragedy happened in a private home where about 20 people are housed.

The spa town of Daruvar has a population of around 8,500 people.