Johannesburg 

A shooting incident at a tavern in Bekkersdal township, located west of Johannesburg, left at least nine people dead and ten others injured in the early hours of Sunday, according to South African police. Al Jazeera reported that the attack has triggered a large-scale police manhunt.

The violence unfolded at around 1 am (local time) when armed assailants arrived at the tavern in two vehicles and opened fire on customers inside the establishment. Law enforcement officials said that the attackers, believed to be around 12 in number, fled the scene immediately after the shooting.

Police stated that the assault was not confined to the tavern premises, as several people were shot on nearby streets while the suspects made their escape. Describing the incident, authorities said the gunmen fired indiscriminately, targeting individuals both inside and outside the venue.

Emergency medical teams rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, where several victims are reportedly in critical condition. The identities of those killed and wounded have not yet been made public.

Following the incident, police launched an intensive search operation to locate the suspects. Multiple teams have been deployed across the area, while forensic experts are collecting evidence from the crime scene to aid the investigation.

Bekkersdal township lies approximately 40 kilometres southwest of Johannesburg and is situated near major gold-mining regions. The area has witnessed recurring incidents of violent crime, intensifying concerns about public safety and law enforcement challenges.

Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing and appealed to members of the public to provide any information that could assist in identifying those responsible. Authorities have not yet established a motive for the attack, Al Jazeera reported.

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South Africa continues to grapple with high levels of gun-related violence, with mass shootings at public venues such as taverns increasingly posing serious challenges for security agencies across the country.