Three shot dead in Durban - police

South African police say three people have been killed and six injured in a shooting incident in the coastal city of Durban. It's a lower death toll than was originally reported by local media.

Some of those rushed to the hospital are believed to be critically injured.

I spoke to Kwa-ZuluNatal Provincial Police Spokesperson Col Thembeka Mbhele, who sounded frantic on the phone.

She told the BBC: "Two men and a woman died [at] the scene. For now, the police are still busy at the scene and it’s too early to establish a motive."

The shooting happened in an apartment block on the corner of JN Singh and Baker Street shortly before midday, according to paramedic Garrith Jamieson. The Durban High Court is nearby.

"On arrival, paramedics were escorted to the apartment and were faced with an absolute bloodbath. Nine people had been shot and sustained multiple gunshot wounds."