At least 27 people have been killed and 26 others injured in two separate mass shootings in South Africa, triggering an urgent manhunt for the suspected attackers.
The first attack occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on Saturday at a tavern in Wedela township, southwest of Johannesburg, where at least 17 people were killed and 15 others wounded.
According to police, the attackers, reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols, opened fire on customers drinking outside the tavern before entering the building and continuing to shoot.
The UK Sun reports that emergency responders pronounced 13 men and four women dead at the scene, while the injured victims were taken to hospital for treatment.
Police said the suspects allegedly searched some victims and took their mobile phones before escaping in two vehicles.
Authorities said eight suspected gunmen were being sought, while no arrests had been reported at the time of the report. Police also said the motive for the Johannesburg-area attack remained unclear.
Just hours later, another shooting was reported at an entertainment venue in Lwandle, Cape Town, South Africa’s second-largest city.
The second attack, which occurred at about 11:45 p.m., left 10 people dead and 11 others injured. Police said five victims died at the scene, while another five later succumbed to their injuries in hospital.
The two attacks brought the reported death toll to 27 within a matter of hours, highlighting the continuing threat posed by violent shootings in parts of South Africa.
Images from the scenes showed forensic personnel, police officers and distressed residents gathered around the affected locations as investigators began collecting evidence.
The motive behind the attacks and whether the two incidents were connected remained unclear. Police investigations and the search for the suspects were continuing.
South Africa has faced persistent concerns over violent crime, with deadly shootings occurring periodically in and around major urban centres.