15 shot dead, 9 hurt in bloody night for Mexico's Monterrey

An unusually violent night in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey has left at least 15 dead and nine wounded. Most died in bar shootings.

The Nuevo Leon state prosecutor's office says in a statement that the attacks took place in the municipalities of Monterrey, Guadalupe and Juarez late Saturday and early Sunday.

Six nightspots were attacked in all, and an official at the prosecutors' office said the death toll could rise due to the severity of some of the injuries. It was not immediately clear if the incidents were linked. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.

It has been years since Monterrey has seen such a bloody night. In 2011, 20 people were shot dead at a bar in a central neighbourhood.