Unidentified gunmen opened fire indiscriminately at a bar in Bekkersdal, Johannesburg, South Africa, in the early hours of Sunday morning. The attack left nine people dead and 10 others injured. According to police, the attackers also fired shots on the tavern and surrounding streets.
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Johannesburg: Unidentified gunmen opened fire indiscriminately at a bar in the Bekkersdal area of Johannesburg, South Africa, in the early hours of Sunday morning. The attack killed nine people and injured 10 others. The attack took place in a gold mining area approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Johannesburg. Police said this is the second major shooting incident in the country this month.
According to police, the shooting occurred at approximately 1 AM (local time). The attackers fired shots at patrons inside the tavern and at people on the streets outside. The location was near an illegally operating tavern. Police initially reported 10 deaths, but later revised the number to nine.
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According to a police statement, approximately 12 unknown suspects arrived in a white kombi and a silver sedan. They fired indiscriminately inside the tavern and in the surrounding areas, and continued to fire randomly as they fled the scene. The National Crime and Management Team is investigating the case.
Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said that authorities have transported the injured to the hospital. The process of identifying the deceased is underway. Police are now taking statements from witnesses and working to determine the motive behind the attack.
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South Africa has a very high crime rate and is among the countries with the highest murder rates in the world. Twelve people, including a three-year-old child, were killed in a shooting at a hostel near Pretoria on December 6. According to experts, there has been a steady increase in the activity of armed attackers.
Police have increased security in the area and stepped up surveillance to prevent similar incidents in the future. Authorities said that investigations into the group of attackers and their motives are ongoing. Local residents have been advised to remain vigilant, and all those injured are receiving medical treatment.
