Animals including two lions, two tigers and a jaguar escaped from their zoo enclosures in southern Germany after massive floods, officials said on Friday.

Ansgar Dondelinger, spokesperson of Bitburg-Prum district, told local media that a huge search was currently underway in the region to trace the animals.

Police advised local residents to stay indoors and immediately inform authorities if they see the predators.

Public television SWR reported that a bear, which also broke out of the zoo, was shot dead.