A friend from overseas sends word of a shooting at a US Naval base in Bahrain:

Two US naval officers have been shot dead and a third wounded at an American military base in Bahrain.

The shootings took place in the barracks on the US Naval Support Activity Bahrain base around 5am local time.

The two sailors were pronounced dead at the scene, and the third was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, according to a US Navy statement.

"There are no indications of terrorism or a base intrusion. Initial reports indicate the incident involved US military personnel only," the statement said.