Finnish police patrols on motorbike after stabbings in Turku, in Central Helsinki, on August 18, 2017.

:: At least eight people have been hospitalized and two persons are dead following the stabbings in the Finnish city of Turku, the city’’s hospital told local news agency STT.

“I can confirm that eight people are in our hospital,” Turku University Hospital director Petri Virolainen said.

“Police shot the suspected perpetrator in the legs,” police wrote on Twitter. “The person has been arrested. We recommend that people avoid central Turku.”

Police also said they had launched a manhunt for other possible attackers.

Following the stabbings police had issued a warning for people to stay away from the city as they reinforced security around the country.

The Turun Sanomat newspaper reported that at least one person was killed in the attack and that police were inspecting departing trains and buses.

An eyewitness saw four or five ambulances near the city’s main square, the paper said.

“The government is closely following the events in Turku and the ongoing police operation. The government will meet later today,” Prime Minister Juha Sipila wrote on his Twitter account.

The police said they have reinforced security at Helsinki airport and train stations following stabbings in Turku.