5 Vietnamese wood gatherers killed near Laos

5 Vietnamese villagers killed while looking for valuable wood near border with Laos

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) -- Police say a gang beat and killed five Vietnamese villagers who were collecting valuable scented wood near the border with Laos.

Officer Nguyen Trong Tai said Thursday that the gang had been demanding a ransom of $700 for each man before they were killed.

The men were seized on Saturday in a remote corner of Quang Binh province. Their bodies were recovered on Tuesday.

The men were gathering agar wood, which is used to make incense, soap and luxury perfumes.