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Six people shot dead in Germany Six Italians shot dead in Germany
(about 2 hours later)
Six men have been shot dead in the west German city of Duisburg, police say. Six Italian men have been shot dead near a train station in the western German city of Duisburg, police say.
Five bodies were found in two cars parked near the city's train station and the sixth man died as he was being taken to hospital in an ambulance. Five bodies were discovered in two cars parked outside an Italian restaurant and the sixth man died as he was being taken to hospital in an ambulance.
The bodies were discovered around 0230 (0030 GMT). A police spokesman said the victims, who were aged between 20 and 30, had all been shot in the head. The bodies were found at about 0230 (0030 GMT). A police spokesman said the victims, who were aged between 16 and 39, had all been shot in the head.
The motive for the killings remains unclear. The authorities say they are exploring all lines of inquiry. Authorities say the motive for the killings remains unclear.
Police spokesman Reinhard Pape said they had been alerted after a local resident heard gunshots and "stopped a police patrol car that happened to be in the area". Reports say the man who was taken to hospital did not say anything before he died.
The bodies were found in a van registered in Duisburg and a car registered in the south-western town of Pforzheim. Police appeal
The identities of the men have not yet been revealed. Police spokesman Reinhard Pape said they had been alerted at 0200 after a woman passer-by heard gunshots and stopped a police patrol car that happened to be in the area.
Police have now sealed off the station at Duisburg and are appealing to eyewitnesses to come forward. About 30 minutes later, police officers found four bodies in a car parked near an Italian restaurant about 100m from the city's station.
Their investigation has reportedly been hindered by heavy rain. The other two victims were found in a small van nearby.
Mr Pape said the van was registered in Duisburg, while the car was registered in the south-western town of Pforzheim.
Numerous gun cartridges were found at the crime scene, but the victims appeared to be unarmed, Mr Pape added.
Witnesses said they saw two people in the area at the time.
Police have now sealed off the station at Duisburg and say they are exploring all lines of inquiry.
The BBC's Tristana Moore in Berlin says there is speculation that an organised crime gang such as the Italian Mafia may have been responsible.
The killings are a shocking development in the relatively peaceful city of Duisburg, where shootings are rare, our correspondent adds.