Two Scottish men have been shot dead outside a bar in southern Spain.

The victims were gunned down outside Monaghans, a popular Irish-themed bar in the coastal town of Fuengirola, Málaga, at about 11pm on Saturday.

A masked man opened fire on the pair as they stood outside the venue before fleeing on foot. Both men died at the scene.

Javier Salas, the deputy government delegate in Málaga, said both victims were believed to be Scottish nationals. Specialist officers from the Guardia Civil’s violent crime unit are reportedly leading the investigation.

Monaghans Irish bar, which sits on the seafront, is a well-known pub popular with British tourists and expats. Witnesses said it was busy on Saturday night with football fans watching the Champions League final.

A resident told local paper Málaga Hoy: “I thought they were going to kill me too. I thought I was hearing fireworks at first but then saw the noise was coming from someone firing a gun.”

A Chinese expat who owns a shop next to the bar said: “I heard a noise coming from next door. I looked out and saw a man pointing at something and shooting.”

A worker at a nearby beach bar and restaurant also recounted how families with children took refuge inside after the shooting started. “I didn’t see anything because we focused on crouching down and staying safe, but it was a very frightening experience. Obviously all the customers we had left as soon as it was safe to do so.”

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said it had not been approached for consular assistance but that its staff stood ready to support any British nationals in need. Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.