ALGIERS, May 23 (AFP) - Ten people were murdered overnight Friday in Algeria's Si Mahdjoub region near Medea, 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Algiers, Algerian radio said Sunday. The killings followed the massacre Wednesday of six children and their mother, also near Medea. The latest victims were from two families and died after a midnight attack on their hamlet by a score of armed Islamists, Sunday's edition of Al-Watan reported. Armed villagers quickly retaliated. The 10 deaths occurred when butane gas cylinders left by the assailants exploded. Four women were among the dead and three people were injured. Since the beginning of March, more than 500 people have died in violence linked to armed Islamists and security force actions against them.  