Latest: Man charged with six counts of murder over Canadian mosque shooting

Quebec police had earlier said that a second man arrested following the attack was now being treated as a witness.

Six people, ranging in age from 35 to 65, were killed in the shooting at the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre, while five were in critical condition and 12 others suffered minor injuries.

Update 6.11pm: Six people have been killed after a shooting at a Quebec City mosque during evening prayers which Canada's prime minister called an act of terrorism.

Police initially arrested two men but later said just one remains a suspect.

More than 50 people were at the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre when the shooting erupted on last night.

In addition to the six who died (aged from 35 to 65), five were in critical condition and 12 others suffered minor injuries, University of Quebec Hospital Centre spokeswoman Genevieve Dupuis said.

Quebec City court clerk Isabelle Ferland named Alexandre Bissonnette and Mohamed el Khadir as the suspects. Police later said one of them was just a witness, though they did not say which.

One was arrested at the scene and another nearby, in his car on a bridge near d'Orleans, where he called 911 to say he wanted to co-operate with police.

Police did not give a possible motive for the attack.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard both characterised the attack as a terrorist act, which came amid heightened tensions worldwide over US President Donald Trump's travel ban on several Muslim countries.

"We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a centre of worship and refuge," Mr Trudeau said in a statement.

"It is heart-wrenching to see such senseless violence. Diversity is our strength and religious tolerance is a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear.

"Muslim-Canadians are an important part of our national fabric and these senseless acts have no place in our communities, cities and country."

Mr Trudeau will make a statement in Parliament before travelling to Quebec City, his office said.

President Trump called Mr Trudeau to express condolences about the attack.

Earlier:

A man suspected of being involved in a shooting at a Quebec Mosque in Canada reportedly surrendered voluntarily.

He was one of two people arrested over the attack after he called police to confess to his involvement.

Six people were killed and eight injured during evening prayers in Quebec City last night.

Quebec Provincial Police spokeswoman Christine Coulombe said some of the wounded were gravely injured and the age range of the dead was about 35 to 70. Reports say there were 39 people in the mosque at the time of the attack.

Mosque president Mohamed Yangui said the shooting happened in the men’s section of the mosque.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has described it as a terrorist attack.

The hunt is still on for a third man believed to have taken part in the shooting.