Two men have been shot dead and 21 other people injured in a gay bar in Oslo, Norway.

The gunfire broke out at 1am local time (midnight Irish time) and shots were fired in the popular London bar, the Herr Nilsen jazz club and a nearby takeaway. 

"I was in the outer bar in London when it happened. I just noticed that a shot was fired, and I was hit by a shard of glass. There were more and more and more shots, so I escaped into the inner bar and tried to get as many as possible with me," one witness told NRK - Norway’s state broadcaster. 

"At first people did not understand what was happening, but then there was panic."

Police have arrested and charged a 42-year-old man with murder, attempted murder and terrorist acts. 

Jonas Gahr Stoere, Norway’s Prime Minister, said it was a “terrible and deeply shocking attack on innocent people”.

“We don’t know yet know what is behind this terrible act,” he told journalists. 

“But to the queer people who are afraid and in mourning, I want to say that we stand together with you.”

Pride cancelled

Oslo Pride was due to take place this Saturday but has since been cancelled on the advice of the local police: 

"We will follow the police's recommendations and take care of each other. Warm thoughts and love go to relatives, the injured and others affected," organisers said in a joint statement.

"We will soon be proud and visible again, but today we will hold and share the pride celebrations from home."

Main image: Pride flags. Picture by: Sam Boal/RollingNews