Three people shot dead in New South Wales, Australia

Three people have been fatally shot in a country town in central western New South Wales, Australia, police have confirmed.

In a statement issued on January 22, NSW Police said two women and a man died following a shooting at Lake Cargelligo, about 240 kilometres south-west of Dubbo. A fourth person, a man, was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition, Caliber.Az reports, citing Western media.

Emergency services were called to the area at about 4:40 pm local time after reports of a shooting. Officers arriving at the scene confirmed multiple casualties.

The statement added that a major police operation was underway, with the alleged gunman still on the run. Additional police resources have been deployed from surrounding areas across the western region as part of the search.

By Khagan Isayev