At least 50 dead, 52 injured in Orlando nightclub Pulse shooting

A mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando is being investigated by the FBI as an "act of terrorism" after an unidentified gunman "with Islamic leaning" killed multiple people.

Orlando Police described the scene as a "mass casualty", and said "multiple people are dead" after a man carrying an assault rifle - barricaded himself and hostages inside Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida

Orlando Police told the media that around 50 people were killed in the shooting and also confirmed the gunman is dead.

A total of 52 people have been rushed to hospital suffering injuries.

The FBI also said the shooter "was organized and well-prepared," adding "he is not from this area."

Tests are being carried out on a device the gunman was carrying.

Erickson Robledo said on Facebook: “My friend is there. He almost got shot.

“He is ok. But he just told me that there could be over 20 dead people. He even help people to get out while they were bleeding.”

Police are expected to hold a press conference shortly where they will update the media."

As the situation escalated, Pulse nightclub tweeted: "Everyone get out of pulse and keep running."

Ricardo J. Negron Almodovar wrote on Facebook: "I was there. Shooter opened fire @ around 2:00am.

"People on the dance floor and bar got down on the floor and some of us who were near the bar and back exit managed to go out through the outdoor area and just ran.

"I am safely home and hoping everyone gets home safely as well :("

Ramses Tinoco was also in the club and wrote on Facebook about the shocking scene. 

He said: “I’m so emotions [sic] now I have vivid memories in my mind of all this I’m so devastated.

“I have bruises all over me from crawling out fighting for my life and my friends!”

Rosie Feba was in the club with her girlfriend and described the moment the shooting happened to the Orlando Sentinal.

She said: “Everyone was getting on the floor.I told her [girlfriend] I didn't think it was real, I thought it was just part of the music, until I saw fire coming out of his gun.”

The incident is believed have started around 2am locally.

The club is understood to have been at full capacity with about 100 people inside when shooting started.

One man who claimed he was inside the club said people were "screaming that people are dead".

He wrote: "They are just pulling people out in stretchers loading them up.

"Please God let everyone make it – tonight was supposd to be a fun night!!

"One more minute and we would have been shot or worse."

Police waed people to stay away from the nightclub in Orange Avenue in Orlando.