South Africa: Police launch manhunt after 17 killed in tavern shooting

South African police have launched a manhunt for eight suspects after 17 people were killed and 15 others wounded in a mass shooting at a tavern in Wedela township, southwest of Johannesburg.

The shooting happened at about 9:30 p.m. on Saturday in Gauteng province, according to the South African Police Service (SAPS). Police said the victims comprised 13 men and four women, all of whom were pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel.

According to police, the attackers were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols. They allegedly opened fire on customers who were drinking outside the tavern before moving inside and continuing the attack.

Fifteen people sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to medical facilities for treatment. Police said no arrests had been made as of Sunday and that the motive for the attack remained unknown.

The suspects reportedly fled the scene in two vehicles. The Independent, citing police information, reported that the attackers allegedly searched some victims and stole their mobile phones before leaving, while two other vehicles were set ablaze during the incident.

Authorities are continuing investigations and searching for the suspects. The shooting comes amid a series of deadly attacks at drinking and entertainment venues in South Africa in recent months, including a separate mass shooting in KwaMakhutha, KwaZulu-Natal, earlier this week in which 11 people were killed. SAPS said in that case that investigators were pursuing several lines of inquiry.

Police have not yet established a motive for the Wedela attack, and the investigation remains ongoing.