Brit tourists run for lives as assassins execute man on popular Mexican beach

Gunmen fired volley of shots before fleeing on jet skis

- Christopher Bucktin

TERRIFIED British tourists fled for their lives as gunmen stormed a Mexican beach to carry out a killing.

The victim, said to be a local 30-year-old, was executed by four men with a salvo of shots near a hotel.

Each of the assassins then fled, two wading into the water to escape on waiting jet skis.

Wednesday's execution occurred on the beach behind the Riu Caribe, a luxurious five-star beach resort in Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula.

The hotel is popular among thousands of British tourists, including honeymooners, and is offered by several UK tour operators.

However, the area is currently at the centre of a battle for control by Mexico's notorious drug lords.

Gangs in the area include the Gulf Cartel, the New Generation Jalisco Cartel, the Sinaloa Cartel and Grupo Regional, smaller organisation.