At least 12 people were shot near a festival in Toledo, in the midwestern US state of Ohio on Saturday, with police starting a search for suspects.

The victims were shot near a festival in Toledo, in the midwestern US state of Ohio.

The Toledo Police Department said 10 people "are reported to be in stable condition, while two remain in critical condition".

The shooting was reported near the Old West End Festival at around 17:37 local time (21:37 GMT) on Saturday.

Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said it appeared that two people fired weapons and they were "probably shooting at each other".

The victims' ages ranged from 16 to 61, the BBC reports. 

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz earlier told local news outlet WTOL 11 that they all were expected to survive.

Eyewitness Tito Aguilar told the BBC's US partner CBS News he was ordering food when he saw a group of "juveniles" attacking another young persn.

Aguilar said he started recording on his phone and then heard gunshots. He then ran from the area, he said, but eventually returned to find his own friends and saw several people with apparent injuries from the shooting.

Police Lt Dan Gerken expressed shock at the level of violence.

"Twelve people being shot, that's the most I've been to a scene. I've been to a lot of scenes, but this is way over the top," he told reporters.

The Old West End Festival describes itself as "a two-day event celebrating one of the largest historic districts in the country with live music, multiple food markets, a beer garden, house tours, shopping, and much more".

Police say the investigation currently includes the area of Delaware Avenue and Robinwood Avenue. 

Other clips shared online appear to show two people being wheeled away in stretchers, and several injured people lying on a grassy area near a marquee.

"I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight," Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said in a statement on social media.

"Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence. Fran and I are praying for everyone impacted by the incident at the Old West End Festival, and we are confident that law enforcement will locate the suspects involved in this senseless crime."