Man held as three women found dead in Austrian brothel

Police in Vienna have launched a criminal investigation after three women were found dead in a brothel, authorities say.

A witness discovered traces of blood outside the building, located near the Danube River, and alerted police on Friday evening.

The bodies of the three victims had "cuts and stab wounds," police spokesman Philipp Hasslinger told the Associated Press.

A 27-year-old man was soon arrested in the vicinity of the brothel while carrying a knife, the supposed weapon.

Police said the suspect will be questioned later on Saturday.

Police found a fourth woman inside the brothel and she was being questioned by the police as a witness.

The identities of the three victims remains unclear.

Brothels are legal in Austria.