Two dead in apparent 'drug-related' shooting in southern France

NICE - Police in the southern French city of Nice were on Saturday hunting down attackers after two people were killed and another five received injuries in an apparent drug-related shooting.

The assault took place on Friday evening in the low-income neighbourhood of Les Moulins, reputed to be a drug-dealing hub, in the west of the city.

Citing a local resident, the Nice-Matin newspaper said a man fired a Kalashnikov after getting out of a vehicle before fleeing.

Two people were in serious condition, said the regional authorities, while prosecutors said that one person was "very seriously wounded".

"An incursion linked to drug-related crime led to automatic weapon fire," Nice mayor Christian Estrosi said on X on Friday.

On Saturday morning, he said he had spoken by phone to Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.

He said he had urged "a tougher fight against immigration", alleging that this "fuels drug-related crime and terrorism".

Prosecutor Damien Martinelli also said that the shooting was "most likely" linked to drug trafficking.

Authorities planned to deploy reinforcements to secure the neighbourhood on Saturday.

The mayor of Nice said he asked Retailleau to deploy "permanent reinforcements" to ensure security in Les Moulins.

Officials launched an investigation into organised gang murder and attempted murder.

In July 2024, seven members of one family, including four children, died in an arson attack in the neigbourhood.