IRKUTSK, Russia -- Seven market workers missing for three days have been found shot dead in the Russian republic of Buryatia, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
The traders reportedly had a large amount of money with them when they left the town of Zakamensk for the city of Irkutsk to buy goods. They planned to pick up another vendor in the village of Petropavlovka on their way, but their minibus never made it there.
The vehicle was found with the seven shuttle traders dead inside. Their money and valuables appear to have been taken.
The traders worked at Zakamensk's central market and regularly traveled the route to Irkutsk and back.
The victims were two men and five women. The men and one of the women were identified as Kyrgyz citizens.