12 Killed, 9 injured in mass shooting at informal settlement in Johannesburg

At least 12 people were killed and nine others injured in a mass shooting at an informal settlement in Johannesburg, South Africa, prompting authorities to launch a large-scale manhunt for the attackers.

According to police, the incident occurred on Tuesday evening at the Jumpers informal settlement in the Cleveland area, east of Johannesburg. More than 10 armed suspects are believed to have been involved in the attack.

Police said the gunmen arrived in a white Toyota Quantum vehicle and entered the settlement through two separate access points before opening fire at multiple locations. The attackers fled the scene in the same vehicle after carrying out the shooting.

Emergency responders rushed to the area and transported the injured victims to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. Authorities have not yet released the identities of those killed or wounded.

Law enforcement agencies have launched an intensive search operation to track down and arrest the suspects. Investigators are currently examining evidence from the crime scene and interviewing witnesses to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and police have not ruled out any possible angle as the investigation continues.

South Africa continues to grapple with high levels of violent crime and gun-related violence. Official statistics indicate that the country records one of the highest murder rates in the world, with an average of around 60 homicides reported daily.

The latest incident has once again raised concerns about public safety and violent crime in the country, particularly in densely populated informal settlements where residents often face security challenges.

Authorities have appealed to the public for any information that could assist in identifying and locating the suspects involved in the attack.