Riu Caribe: Man shot dead in Cancun in front of holiday markers at luxury hotel, assassins flee on jet skis

Holidaymakers in picturesque Cancun, Mexico have had their dream getaway descend into horror when four armed men gunned down a businessman before fleeing on jet skis.

The shocking execution occurred on the beach behind the Riu Caribre, a luxurious five-star beach resort on the Yucatán Peninsula.

Witnesses told police that the gunman had been on the beach before they approached the victim on foot and shot him dead.

Two men reportedly fled on foot, as two others jumped on jet skis and fled into the ocean.

The businessman, yet to be identified, is believed to be a Mexican resident and is understood to have been killed in a targeted attack.

Local media have reported the businessman was responsible for the jet skis that the assassins used to escape the scene.

An image shared online shows the victim’s body lying lifeless on the sand as guests were moved off the beach.

The hotel is described on its website as “on the shores of the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea”, and a place “where time stands still to give you an unforgettable experience”.

Rooms start at around $500 a night on an all-inclusive basis.

Emergency services raced to the hotel as guests were urgently ushered inside, locked down for their safety.

Video shared on social media shows terrified guests in the hotel lobby as they incident unfolded.

The hotel has since released a statement confirming no guests were killed and clarifying that the man was not an employee of the hotel, Riviera Maya News reported.

Charges have not yet been laid.

A crime scene was established and local authorities are continuing investigations.