Two people have been killed and two severely injured when a car ran into a crowd in the centre of the eastern German city of Leipzig, local broadcaster MDR has reported, citing police.

Leipzig police confirmed to Reuters that there were injuries from a driving car but could not give more details.

A damaged Volkswagen SUV with a person on top of the vehicle was seen speeding through a pedestrian zone, Radio Leipzig reported.

The broadcaster cited witnesses as saying there were several bodies reportedly covered with sheets.

This is a breaking news update; more details soon.