In pictures: The panic, chaos and aftermath of the Las Vegas mass shooting

As the death toll rises in the worst mass shooting in US history, photos are emerging of the destruction and tragedy of how the events unfolded.

At least 59 people have been killed and more than 500 injured after Stephen Paddock, 64, opened fire on a crowd at a Las Vegas country music festival.

Police said Paddock, a retired accountant, killed himself before a SWAT team entered his room in the Mandalay Bay Hotel overlooking the festival venue.

Las Vegas Sheriff Joseph Lombardo law enforcement were working four separate crime scenes: Paddock's room at the Mandalay Bay hotel, the concert venue, the gunman's house in Mesquite, and another house he owns in northern Nevada which a SWAT team was poised to raid.

Here are some of the photos of the chaos and the aftermath:

Warning graphic images

People run for cover after gun fire was heard at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. Source: Getty Images North America

People scramble for shelter at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Source: Getty Images North America

A man lays on top of a woman as others flee. A photographer later witnessed the man and woman get up and walk away. Source: Getty Images

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers run down Tropicana Ave near Las Vegas Boulevard after the shooting. Source: Getty Images North America

A woman cries while hiding inside the Sands Corporation plane hangar after a mass shooting in which dozens were killed at the Route 91 Harvest country festival. Source: AAP

Police officers advise people to take cover near the scene of a shooting near the Mandalay Bay resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Source: AAP

Debris is strewn through the scene of a mass shooting at a music festival near the Mandalay Bay resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip, Monday, Oct 2, 2017. Source: AAP

People light candles at the Ascend Amphitheater for a vigil honouring the victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas on October 2, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Source: Getty Images

(L-R)US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, wife Karen Pence and White House staff take part in a moment of silence. Source: AFP

Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo updates the death toll to 59 killed and 527 injured during a press conference at the Metropolitan Police Department. Source: Los Angeles Times