German police on Thursday said they shot dead a suspected gunman near the Israeli consulate in Munich.

According to a police spokesperson, officers noticed a person carrying a “long gun” in the Karolinenplatz area, near downtown Munich, at around 9am.

There was then an exchange of shots, but there no was no indication that anyone else was hurt, according to police.

Thursday marked the 52nd anniversary of the attack by Palestinian militants on the Israeli delegation at the 1972 Munich Olympics, which ended with the death of 11 Israeli team members, a West German police officer and five of the assailants.

It was unclear whether the incident was in any way related to the anniversary.

Police said there was no evidence of any more suspects connected to the incident.

They increased their presence in the city, Germany's third-biggest, but said they had no indication of incidents at any other locations or of any other suspects.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the consulate in Munich was closed when the shooting occurred and that no consulate staff had been hurt.

The nearby museum also said all of its employees were unharmed. (Agencies)