MONTREAL (AFP) - Seven people were injured by gunfire in Canada, two critically, after a shootout at a New Year party Thursday in Calgary, police said.

One of the seven is reported to have since died, according to local media.

The shooters were not among the victims, and police said they fled the scene after they opened fire.

"Apparently the offenders left in a vehicle," a police source told AFP.

It is not clear how many shooters there were or why gunfire erupted at the party.

Police received several calls at 5.05am (8.05am Singapore time) reporting gunfire at the private party, where some 50 people were gathered.

Emergency workers took five people to the hospital, including two with life-threatening injuries.

"Two others wounded went on their own to the hospital," police said, adding that they were not considered suspects.

Photos on social media showed the streets around the house where the shooting occurred sealed off with police tape.

Calgary in western Canada is home to about one million people.