A manhunt is under way in western Germany after three bodies were found in a residential building in Weitefeld, in the Westerwald region.

The suspect fled the scene when officers arrived and is on the run, a police spokesperson told the German Press Agency.

Police have advised residents in the surrounding area to stay at home, and warned people not to pick up hitchhikers, local media report.

Details about those killed have not been released.

German outlet Bild reports that a special task force is on site and a police helicopter has been deployed.

The town has been completely cordoned off and vehicles entering and leaving are being checked.

A police spokesperson reportedly told Bild that the emergency call came in at 3:45am local time (2.45am BST).

Local media report that police have said the incident occurred in a family home and the three victims include two males and one female.

Weitefeld is home to around 2200 people.