Gunman kills six and injures eight in Turkey, media reports say

A gunman has killed six people in southern Turkey, local media has reported, citing a statement from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Another eight people were injured on Monday in the Tarsus district, Mersin province, according to Turkey's Hurriyet newspaper and the Anadolu news agency.

Reports say the male suspect allegedly first shot dead his ex-wife before driving to a restaurant and killing its owner and an employee. Three more people - a shepherd, a lorry driver and another person - were killed nearby.

The gunman then fled the scene. A large-scale police manhunt with helicopter support is continuing overnight.

The suspect's identity and motives were not immediately known.

Speaking on Monday evening, Erdogan described the attack as "heinous".

"I pray to God for mercy for the six people who lost their lives," Erdogan said.

He also wished a "speedy recovery" to the eight people injured.