New Delhi: In a tragic incident, gunmen killed at least 9 people, and several people sustained injuries during an open fire at a tavern in a township near Johannesburg in South Africa on Sunday, December 21, as per Reuters.

The reason behind the attack remains unknown, and the incident occurred in Bekkersdal, around 40 kilometres southwest of Johannesburg, according to Brigadier Brenda Muridili, police spokesperson for Gauteng province.

There were around 12 people in a white minibus and a silver sedan, who opened fire at the tavern patrons and shot randomly, Reuters reported.

A dozen men attacked the tavern before 1:00 am local time. The assailants were in two vehicles and “opened fire at tavern patrons and continued to shoot randomly as they fled the scene,” police said in a statement.

The authorities also confirmed that several people were randomly shot down in the streets by the gunmen. A manhunt is also underway for the attackers.

“We are still busy obtaining statements. Our national crime and management team has arrived, the provincial crime scene management team has arrived and a team from the local criminal record centre is here, so is our serious crime investigating team, crime intelligence and the provincial crime detective team is on scene, Gauteng Acting Police Commissioner Fred Kekana stated.

The injured victims received medical facilities for treatment in the nearby hospital, police confirmed.

Earlier this month, a mass shooting in Pretoria, South Africa, was reported, and 12 people were shot dead, including three children aged 3, 12, and 16. 13 people sustained injuries. This attack was also reported at a bar inside a hostel in the Saulsville township.

In recent times, the crime rates have risen in South Africa, including one of the highest murder rates in the world. South Africa’s current population is around 6.3 crores, and tensions have risen after two mass shootings in a single month.