Kozhikode: Nine persons were killed and over 20 injured in clashes involving two communities at Marad beach near Kozhikode on May 2 evening, police said.

'The clashes broke out around 7.00 pm (IST) following a wordy duel between the communities, police said.

Several of the injured, including women, were in a "serious" condition at the medical college hospital, they said, adding a heavy posse of police personnel, led by the inspector general (North) Venugopal K Nair, had rushed to the spot.

The situation continued to remain "tense" in the area, which had witnessed communal violence in the recent past, police said, adding the real cause leading to the clashes was yet to be ascertained.

Five persons were killed in communal violence at Marad beach, falling under the Beypore police station limits, during January 2001.

PTI