A man has been shot dead in the street on the outskirts of Utrecht, three days after another fatal shooting in the city.

The man was killed on Rijksstraatweg in the town of De Meern on Friday morning, NOS reported. Police are trying to trace the attacker or attackers and discover the reason for the shooting.

NOS quoted sources saying the victim was a drugs dealer who had survived a previous assassination attempt at the same spot two years ago.

On Wednesday, a man was shot dead in the Utrecht suburb of Overvecht. NOS said 45-year-old Renko S had been due to testify in a contract killing case. Police have not said if the incidents are linked.