Police have launched a murder inquiry after three men died early this morning in Birmingham after they were hit by a car.

The British Asian men were said to have been protecting their property in Winson Green at around 1am.

Last night, Birmingham saw its second night of trouble, with masked youths roaming the streets, looting shops and smashing windows.

It has not yet been confirmed if the deaths are linked to the rioting and police have called for witnesses to give information.

One man has been arrested following the incident near a mosque in the Dudley Road area of the city.

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A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “When crews arrived they found around 80 people at the scene with resuscitation ongoing on three men.

“Crews used their advanced life support skills while police officers provided support.”

Two of the men were pronounced dead soon after they arrived at Birmingham’s City Hospital.

The third died several hours later in the hospital from his “significant” injuries.

A crowd gathered outside the hospital in the early hours of the morning after the tragedy happened, with police protecting the building against any trouble.

Unconfirmed reports say that two of the men were brothers.