New Delhi, Nov 23 (IANS): The Delhi Police rescued six African nationals after a mob threatened to attck them following rumours that some "cannibal Africans" had kidnapped a teenage boy in west Delhi, police said on Friday.

The incident occurred on Thursday night, according to the police, when they received multiple calls regarding a mob threatening to attack African nationals staying in Dwarka's Kakrola area.

"Police personnel rused to the site and dispersed the local residents gathered outside a building where four African nationals including two women were staying in Kakrola's Hari Vihar," Deputy Commissioner of Police Anto Alphonse told IANS.

"The victims had locked the main gates of their residence from inside. In all, six African nationals were rescued and taken to police station for their safety," Alphonse said.

The residents of the area were found raising slogans against the "cannibal Africans". The African nationals were staying on rent in the area for the last couple of months.

"We also received a call by a local that a 16-year-old boy had been kidnapped by the Africans but later it was found to be a rumour. All the African nationals are safe and now in the contact with their association. No injury was reported to any of the foreign nationals," the DCP said.

"During the investigation, the police discovered that the entire trouble started after a local woman indulged in a fight with an African woman," he added.

"We have not received any formal complaint from the African people, although we are investigating the case and waiting for the complaint. We have also tightened vigil in the area," he added.