RIYADH, Feb 26: Three French nationals were shot dead in Saudi Arabia on Monday in what appeared to be the first targeted attack on westerners in three years.

The incident occurred on the Madinah-Tabuk road, near the historical site of Madain Saleh.

Two of the men died on the spot while the third died in hospital. Another Frenchman was injured and taken to hospital.

According to a statement of the interior ministry, a group of eight French nationals were ordered by a car to stop their vehicle while they were returning from a trip to the desert. As soon as the French stepped out of their vehicle, a hail of bullets met them.

The group comprised four men, three women and a child, the ministry said. Some of them were Muslims, the ministry said.

A Saudi television report earlier said four people had died.