German police shoot a man in Berlin Cathedral and cordon off area

One officer opened fire on man armed with knife. A second officer was also inadvertently wounded by the shot fired by his colleague

Police shot and wounded a man who "rampaged" through Berlin Cathedral wielding a knife, authorities in the German capital said.

A 53-year-old Austrian suspect was taken to hospital with serious injuries to his legs, police said, while a second officer who was trying to restrain the man was also suffered minor injuries in the shooting.

There was no immediate indication the man's reported actions were linked to terrorism, Berlin police spokesman Winfrid Wenzel said. The dpa news agency quoted police as saying the man appeared to be confused.

Wenzel said the incident began when the man entered the Berliner Dom and waved a knife in the area of the altar. Cathedral employees called police and safely escorted about 100 visitors out of the holy site.

Two officers responded to the call and asked the suspect repeatedly to put down the knife, to no avail, police said. The officers used a chemical spray to disarm him, but it did not seem to have an effect.

“In the Berliner Dom in the city centre our colleagues opened fire on a rampaging man shortly after 1600,” Berlin police said on twitter.

“He was injured in the legs. Please avoid rumours.”

People sit in front of the Berliner Dom after a German policeman shot a man at the Berlin Cathedral (REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch)

One of the officers then opened fire, wounding the man. The second officer also was inadvertently wounded by the shot fired by his colleague, Berlin police said.

Both the suspect and the police officer were taken to a hospital. Police said the suspect underwent surgery, while the officer was treated for minor injuries and released.

Initial reports had said the officer was seriously wounded.

The area around the cathedral is typically crowded with tourists and visitors, particularly on Sunday. A Sunday evening prayer service at the church was canceled.

Additional reporting by AP