Update | EU official among people shot dead in midnight 'terrorist' attack on Mali restaurant

Three Europeans were shot dead at a nightclub  in Mali’s capital early Saturday, in a suspected terror attack that came with the government at a key stage of peace talks with militants in the restive north.

At least one gunman entered the club after midnight and opened fire, according to police and an AFP correspondent on the scene in the aftermath.

Two people have been arrested over the attack at the popular La Terrasse restaurant in an area popular with expatriates.  At least five people were killed.

“This is a terrorist attack, although we’re waiting for clarification,” a policeman said, identifying two victims as French and Belgian nationals.

A source at the Gabriel Toure hospital in Bamako said the third European,  whose nationality was not immediately clear, had died on arrival, while eight people were wounded.

EU foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini said one of the victims worked  with the European Union in Mali where the 28-nation bloc runs a mission to  assist police and national guard forces.