Several people were injured in a stabbing attack in the western German town of Oberhausen on Thursday evening, Focus Online reported, adding that a suspect had been arrested.

Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung reported that several people had been taken to hospital with stab wounds.

The incident appeared to be a family dispute, Reuters quoted the police as saying.

A spokesman for police in the nearby city of Essen said all five, including the attacker, had been treated in hospital and at least one sustained life-threatening injuries.