Three armed men, believed to be Albanians, burst into a cafe in the central Athens district of Aghios Panteleimonas late on Wednesday night and shot dead three customers in what police believe was a settling of accounts between rival protection gangs in the area.

According to police, two of the three victims were probably killed by mistake. A 38-year Albanian was the target of the attack. A second Albanian, aged 26, and a Romanian, aged 37, were probably killed accidentally, according to police who found 35 cartridge cases at the scene.

The assailants entered the cafe at about 10.30 p.m., started shooting and then fled in a car, witnesses said. There were no reports of any other injuries.

The attack was the latest in a string of murders and attempted murders that have taken place in bars and clubs in the area.