An armed attacker has entered a care home for older people in central Croatia and opened fire, killing six people and wounding six others, police said.

Croatia’s police chief, Nikola Milina, said five people died immediately and one more died in hospital.

The suspect fled the scene but police caught him in a cafe near the home in the town of Daruvar, he added.

A police officer stands outside the cafe where the gunman was arrested
A police officer stands outside the cafe where the shooter was arrested in Daruva (Zeljko Puhovski/Cropix/AP)

The victims were five residents of the care home and one employee, Mr Milina said.

Police said they were informed of the attack on Monday morning. The suspect is “under police supervision”, said a statement by the regional police office.

N1 regional television reported that the gunman was born in 1973 and was a former policeman who took part in the 1991-95 war in Croatia and a relative of one of the nursing home residents.

Media reports said one of those killed was his mother who had lived in the care home for 10 years.

The attack left the quiet town stunned and grieving.

The mayor, Damir Lnenicek, told N1 that everyone was shocked.

Police and forensics gather near the crime scene in Daruvar
Police and forensic officers gather near the crime scene in Daruvar (Zeljko Puhovski/Cropix/AP)

“What is the cause, the trigger, it is difficult to say. That will be determined by the investigation,” he said, adding that the tragedy happened in a private home where about 20 people are housed. He said that it is an excellent home.

Daruvar is a spa town in the municipality of Slavonia, with a population of 8,500.

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic said he was “shocked” by the “savage, unprecedented crime”.

“It is a frightening warning and a last call to all competent institutions to do more to prevent violence in society, including even more rigorous control of gun ownership,” he said.

Police officials said the assailant used an unregistered gun. There are many weapons kept in private homes in Croatia after the bloody break-up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

Authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack.