Ten people have been killed and dozens more injured after a former pupil opened fire on an Austrian school, in what has been described as one of the worst mass killings in the country's history.

Special forces police descended on BORG Dreierschuetzengasse high school in the city of Graz shortly before 10am local time on Tuesday after reports of gunshots.

The suspect is among the dead after having killed himself in the toilet after opening fire on two classrooms and shooting in circles.

He has been described by local media as a 22-year-old former student who had been a victim of bullying at the school.

In chilling videos emerging online, the sound of gunshots rings out around the campus, while others show bodies lined up on stretchers.