Joachim Herrmann told public broadcaster ARD that the young man, who was later shot dead by police, appeared to have made his way to Germany as an unaccompanied minor.

The motive of the attacker was unclear, a spokesman for the Bavarian Interior Ministry told Reuters.

German media quoted a Bavarian ministry official as saying that the attacker was a refugee.

Police spokesman said 10 - 15 people were severally wounded.