AFP, Washington

Police said “multiple” people were injured in a shooting at the University of Iowa early yesterday, after the midwestern US school issued an alert reporting gunshots in an area popular for nightlife.

The United States, where firearms are readily available, has a long history of gun violence that kills thousands of people every year.

“The Iowa City Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred Sunday,” Iowa City officials said in a statement, adding that “no arrests have been made.”

“At this time, multiple victims have been taken to area hospitals to be treated for wounds suffered in the shooting.”

Their conditions were unknown, authorities said.

The ICPD said its officers responded to a report of a “large fight” on campus just before 2:00 am local time (0700 GMT), adding that officers arriving at the scene “heard gunfire.”