Agencies: Canadian police killed two gunmen during a shootout at a bank in British Columbia province, which also resulted in six officers being injured, and nearby homes were evacuated after a potential explosive device was discovered, according to the police.

Law enforcement authorities stated that rapid response team members arrived at the site of the Montreal Bank in Saanich, Vancouver Island, near the border with the US state of Washington, at around 11 a.m. (1800 GMT).

The Saanich City Police in British Columbia said in a statement on their website, "The incident is still ongoing with a heavy police presence in the area." They added, "Homes and businesses near the scene have been evacuated due to the possibility of an explosive device in a vehicle linked to the suspects."

Saanich Police Chief Dean Duthie said in a press conference that the two men were "heavily armed" and that initial reports indicate they were wearing bulletproof vests, adding that he has no further information about them.

Six officers were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds.

He added, "We currently expect some officers to be released after receiving treatment in emergency departments, while other officers were seriously injured and transferred to the surgery department." Biden announces strengthening of the US military presence throughout Europe