The victims were part of a group of five men leaving a nightclub when their car was attacked by unidentified assailants armed with Kalashnikov rifles.

Two of the men survived unharmed, while one fled the scene along with the shooters. The police discovered a burnt getaway car nearby, a common tactic used by perpetrators to eliminate evidence in previous drug-related killings.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the targeted men resided in a council estate known for drug trafficking, and some had prior records with the police.

The police prefect, Frederique Camilleri, stated that the estate was currently contested by rival networks.

The authorities are fully mobilized to apprehend the perpetrators and dismantle the trafficking networks responsible for this violence.

In recent days, police arrested five individuals for firearm possession linked to the drug trade and seized several weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles.

This incident marks the 21st drug-related homicide in Marseille this year. The victims typically belong to lower-ranking positions within drug gangs and become targets of rival gangs' hired killers.

The chief prosecutor and police officials had previously warned about escalating violence and vendettas between rival organizations competing for control of lucrative drug-dealing territories in the city. Following a series of killings in April, special police forces were deployed to key drug hotspots.

Marseille's mayor, Benoit Payan, has called on the French government to take decisive action to end the prolonged violence, expressing concern that the killers no longer fear being caught. (ILKHA)