3 killed after suspected neighbours' dispute in Germany

Three bodies have been found on neighbouring residential properties in the small northern German town of Bienenbüttel in the state of Lower Saxony, reported dpa.

According to initial findings, there had been a bloody altercation between the neighbours, the police announced on Friday evening.

The dead are an 85-year-old property owner as well as the 62-year-old owner of the neighbouring property and his 61-year-old wife.

In the residential area in Bargdorf, a district of Bienenbüttel near Uelzen on the eastern edge of Lüneburg Heath, residents had heard several gunshot noises and screams around noon (1000 GMT) and had informed the police, the statement said in the evening.

A large contingent of emergency personnel cordoned off the area. A lifeless body was then discovered outside a property.

In cooperation with special forces from the Hamburg police and the special task force from the Lower Saxon capital of Hanover, the rest of the property was secured and the residential building was entered.

Since the 85-year-old, who was entitled to hunt, was registered with several firearms, the police officers proceeded with a high degree of caution.

In the course of the operation, the two other bodies were found.

The investigation into the reasons for the deaths is still ongoing.