Guards trying to bar attacker from entry in nightclub sparks Mexico shooting: prosecutor

A deadly shooting at a beachfront nightclub in Mexico's Caribbean resort of Playa del Carmen was sparked after security guards tried to bar the gunman from entering the venue, officials said on Monday.

Five people were killed and another 15 were injured in the pre-dawn incident at the popular resort, located just 45 minutes south of Cancun, in Quintana Roo state.

"Eyewitness accounts indicated that a person tried to enter the (nightclub) with a weapon, but the security guards prevented him, which sparked the attack," the state prosecutor's office (FGE) said in a statement.

Three of the fatal victims were guards working for music festival organizer BPM, which was holding a closing party at the resort's Blue Parrot club, BPM said via Twitter.

"Three members of the BPM security team were among those whose lives were lost while trying to protect patrons inside the venue," the company said.

The men were reportedly of Canadian, Italian and Colombian nationality, the FGE said, adding the other victims included "a woman who died in a fall following the shooting," and a man who died later in hospital.

Of the 15 people injured, eight have been released from hospital, the FGE said.

A second shooting incident reportedly occurred at another nearby nightclub, though officials have little information as yet.

"We know of another incident where there was an exchange of fire, near the (Blue Parrot) disco, but we are investigating whether it was in any way related," the prosecutor general, Miguel Angel Pech Cen told reporters at a press conference.

Four suspects were arrested following the incident, but the shooter managed to get away, the prosecutor said.

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the annual BPM festival of electronic dance music in Playa. Enditem