Two tourists have been killed in a shooting at a cafe in Mexico. Three tourists were injured, including a 21-year-old Dutchman. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague confirms that a Dutch woman has been injured. Like the other two injured, she was released from hospital after treatment.
The incident happened late at night at La Malquerida restaurant in downtown Tulum Pueblo, about 80 miles south of the popular resort town of Cancún. According to local media, the tourists were the victims of an attack on someone who had fled into the restaurant.
Gunmen from a drug gang are said to have chased this 24-year-old man on motorcycles, after which he ran into the restaurant. The gunmen then fired around and hit tourists.
Gang violence
A 25-year-old woman from India died on the spot, a 35-year-old German died later in hospital. In addition to the Dutch woman, two German tourists aged 26 and 35 were injured. The intended victim was hit in the leg. One of the gang members was also injured and was arrested by the police.
The mayor of Tulum has Twitter expressed his condolences to the bereaved families. He says he has ordered the police to cooperate with the Public Prosecution Service’s investigation into what happened.
Violence by drug gangs is a major problem for Mexico. Citizens and tourists are regularly unintentionally victims of the violent settlements. The gangs also extort companies and demand part of the profits from shopkeepers.
–
