A violent clash early yesterday between two groups of Iraqi immigrants in a basement apartment in Aghioi Anargyroi, northwestern Athens, led to the death of one of the men and the serious injury of three others.

According to police, a group of 10 Iraqis attacked eight of their countrymen with clubs, knives and stones.

The assailants are believed to have been trying to collect debts on behalf of the smugglers who brought the second group of Iraqis into the country. In the fracas, one of the men was beaten to death. The three who suffered serious injury were hospitalized.

It was not clear last night whether the remaining migrants had been arrested. Police said the incident was reminiscent of unprecedented clashes between African migrants in the historic center earlier this year.