Two men were found shot dead behind the Thessaloniki Concert Hall early yesterday in what police believe to be a settling of scores.

The bodies of the two men were found by officers on patrol in the deserted area behind the music venue at around 2.40 a.m. Neither of the men was named but officers said one was a 44-year-old Greek and the other a 42-year-old, thought to be of Russian origin. Neither had a police record.

Both bodies, which were examined by a coroner, bore several bullet wounds. Thessaloniki Police Chief Dimitris Papadopoulos said all indications were that nobody else was involved in the shooting.

The incident occurred at the same time as a thunderstorm in the area and none of the residents heard the shots, according to officers.