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Three dead in Kalashnikov 'turf war shooting' in Marseille

In what police believe were the latest killings in a vicious war between drug gangs in Marseille, three men were murdered when their car was fired upon in the early hours of Sunday, bringing the total of drug-related deaths so far this year in the southern French port city to 21.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

Three men have been shot dead in a car in the southern French city of Marseille, which has seen a recent surge in drug violence, reports BBC News.

Five people were in the vehicle and had just left a nightclub when they were fired on with Kalashnikovs, police say.

Two of those targeted fled the scene, as did the unknown attackers.

Police linked the incident to the drugs trade. It brings to 21 the number of drug-related killings in Marseille so far this year, AFP news agency says.

The latest shooting happened in a residential area of France's second-largest city. The car carrying the five men - all in their 20s - was fired on shortly after they left nightclub around 05:00 (03:00 GMT).

Investigators told French media that the five were known to police and lived in a housing estate where drug crime is rife.

They said that a car found ablaze near the scene also points to drug violence, as criminals often burn their vehicles to destroy evidence.

Read more of this report from BBC News.