Two mass shootings in close proximity to one another in a small South African town have left at least 17 people dead, including 15 women, according to authorities.
Athlenda Mathe, a spokesman for the national police, stated on Saturday that a search was underway for the suspects. 15 women and 2 males were among the victims, she said. In the hospital, there was another individual in critical condition.
The gunshots happened on Friday night in the Southeast African province of the Eastern Cape, in the town of Lusikisiki.
The gunshots took place at two residences in the same area, which is a group of rural homesteads outside of the town, according to police-released video.
According to the authorities, three women and a guy were slain at the other residence while twelve women and a man were killed in the first. One male, four ladies, and a 2-month-old infant made it out alive.
The victims were reportedly attending a family get-together when the shooting happened, according to local media, but the reason for the deaths is still a mystery.
According to official crime figures from the police, 12,734 killings were reported in the first half of this year in South Africa.
That is more than 70 on average per day. In those situations, firearms are by far the leading cause of death.
Also Read: South Africa Attacks Alleged Military Camps Arresting Scores of Libyans
