A man was gunned down in a hail of bullets outside a bar in Hamburg and the police are investigating whether he was a victim of an ongoing drug war between rival clans.

The 24-year-old victim, an Iranian national named only as Misagh, was reportedly hit eight times in the ambush at 10.30pm on 2nd October.

He died of multiple gunshot wounds to his chest, lungs, neck and stomach, according to local media.

The gunmen were reportedly lying in wait for the Iranian outside the Cherie shisha bar in Hamburg.

Shocked eyewitnesses called the police, with around 20 patrol cars racing to the scene.

Ambulances were also sent to the scene, with paramedics then unsuccessfully trying to save Misagh’s life.

The police stopped a VW Arteon car a few minutes later and forced four men to get out of the vehicle at gunpoint.

The four men were handcuffed and taken into custody, with plastic bags placed over their hands to protect any evidence such as gunpowder residue and DNA.

Police spokesperson Florian Abbenseth told local media: “After the shots, several people fled the scene. Police forces who arrived quickly on site stopped a suspected getaway vehicle in the nearby area and temporarily arrested the four occupants. Their involvement in the crime is currently being investigated.”

The four men detained were reportedly released after being questioned, with Hamburg police now looking for a second vehicle while investigations continue.

Several of the victim’s family members, friends and even first responders collapsed at the scene and were provided with psychological counselling.

German media has reported that Misagh is said to have got into an argument with the gunmen, currently believed to be at large, shortly before he was shot.

Misagh’s shooting was the fifth such attack in Hamburg in the last year, with the hit squads always firing volleys of gunshots at their victims.

There are a number of crime gangs operating in Hamburg, including Middle-Eastern clans with Lebanese backgrounds, and Turkish and Albanian gangs.

Afghan gangs also operate in the area and are engaged in drug trafficking, racketeering and prostitution.

The execution is now being investigated by the Hamburg homicide squad.