BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Three French nationals who lived in Saudi Arabia were shot dead on Monday in the northwest of the country, according to media reports.

    The Saudi interior ministry confirmed the attack and the death toll, saying that the victims were shot dead by gunmen in an unidentified vehicle.

    Eight French nationals came under fire near the town of Tabuk and a nearby historical site, Madain Saleh, as they were heading to the holy city of Mecca for a pilgrimage, according to a ministry statement.

    Two of the group died at the scene and one of the two wounded died later in hospital. A state television report earlier said 4 had died.

    Women and children also were with the group but they were uninjured.

    A ministry spokesman said it was too early to determine whether the attacks were terror-related.

    French President Jacques Chirac expressed shock following the attack, describing it as "hateful."

    Saudi Arabia has been waging an intense campaign against al-Qaida members since a wave of suicide attacks on foreigners in the kingdom in 2003, but there has been no major attacks targeting foreigners since 2004.

    (Agencies)