French soldiers have shot and killed two Indians when they opened fire on vehicles approaching the airport in the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR).

In a statement released on Monday, the French Defense Ministry said the shooting at three vehicles trying to enter the airport happened “in a particularly confusing situation”, just as French troops had been fired upon “from an unknown source,” AFP reported.

Another Indian and a Chadian were also injured in the incident.

“These vehicles were transporting Chadian and Indian nationals. Despite warning shots fired by troops guarding the site, the vehicles kept going at high speed.

“Two Indian nationals died. French forces immediately took charge of the injured Indian and the Chadian, who were driven to an aid facility,” the statement noted.

On Monday, former President Francois Bozizé took refuge in neighboring Cameroon. A statement from the office of Cameroon’s president said the ousted CAR leader is seeking a temporary stay before going to another country.

Bozizé fled his country after Seleka fighters had seized the capital Bangui over the weekend. Reports say that the rebels’ leader Michel Djotodia declared himself the new president.

Hostilities in the CAR resumed last week after the Seleka accused Bozizé of breaking an earlier peace deal.

On January 11, the president and representatives of the Seleka fighters signed an agreement in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, after three days of negotiations brokered by regional neighbors.

The Seleka fighters launched an offensive against the government in December 2012.

There are many mineral resources, including gold and diamonds, in the Central African Republic. However, the country is extremely poor and has faced a series of rebellions and coups since it gained independence in 1960.