TEN people are feared dead after a gun attack at a midnight screening of the latest Batman movie in the US, according to news reports.

A gunman in a gas mask opened fire at the cinema in the Denver suburb of Aurora and set off a smoke or tear gas canister, local radio said.

Reporter Brenda Stuart said movie-goers thought the attack was part of the film at first.

She told Sky News: “A lot of people thought the gunshots were part of the movie.

“Then bullets started flying.”

She added: “Police officers are taking people to hospital themselves, not waiting for ambulances.”

Ms Stuart said the incident happened about 30 minutes into the screening of The Dark Knight Rises.

“Right now they have no suspects,” she said.