LONDON

Police confirmed that three victims are dead Tuesday after a shooting in Uppsala, Sweden's fourth-largest city, with the perpetrator still at large, according to media reports.

A large police operation is underway after the shooting at a hair salon near Vaksala Square, public broadcaster SVT reported.

Police said the perpetrator fled on an electric scooter, the broadcaster reported, citing a source.

Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer told reporters that the incident is "extremely serious.”

The Justice Ministry is in close contact with police and closely following developments, he added.

Police spokesperson Magnus Klarin said officials received several reports of loud bangs in the area.

Witnesses told the SVT that five shots were heard and people were seen running in different directions.

Train service to and from Uppsala was suspended temporarily, said the transport authority.

In February, 11 people were killed in a shooting in Orebro -- a city 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of Stockholm, targeting an adult education center.