A SHOOTING ERUPTED at an electronic music festival in the Mexican resort of Playa del Carmen early today, leaving at least five people dead and sparking a stampede, the mayor said.

Fifteen people were injured, some in the stampede, after at least one shooter opened fire before dawn at the Blue Parrot nightclub during the BPM festival, Mayor Cristina Torres told Turquesa radio.

On Facebook, the BPM Festival said that police confirmed reports of a lone shooter outside the nightclub, which resulted in four fatalities and 12 people being injured.

The violence began on 12th street in front of the club and three members of the BPM security team were among those whose lives were lost while trying to protect patrons inside the venue.

The BPM Festival has been working closely with the local authorities (Seguridad Publica / Policia Turistica) throughout the festival to ensure public safety and security for all visitors. We are overcome with grief over this senseless act of violence and we are cooperating fully with local law enforcement and government officials as they continue their investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their families and all those affected by these tragic events.

Scottish DJ Jackmaster tweeted:

- © AFP, 2017 - Additional reporting Aoife Barry