Schwalmtal, Germany - No hostages were taken during a shooting spree in which several people died in the western German town of Schwalmtal on Tuesday evening, police said.

The police had previously spoken of up to six hostages in the house where the perpetrator barricaded himself. Several people were left dead and injured after he fired shots on the street.

The man has since surrendered to the police, who said the shooting was triggered by a marital drama.(dpa)