Johannesburg, 10 June (H.S.):

At least 12 people were killed and nine others injured after unidentified gunmen opened fire in Cleveland, near Johannesburg, South Africa, late Tuesday night. Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects involved in the deadly attack.

According to local reports, the shooting occurred in an informal settlement in Cleveland. More than 10 armed assailants reportedly arrived in a white Toyota Quantum minibus near a petrol station before entering the settlement and opening fire on residents at multiple locations. The attackers later fled the scene in the same vehicle.

South African police said officers responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 11:10 p.m. local time on Tuesday. Emergency medical teams were immediately dispatched to assist the victims and transport the injured for treatment.

Authorities confirmed that eight men and three women were pronounced dead at the scene. Another victim later succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment in hospital, raising the death toll to 12.

At least nine other people sustained injuries in the attack and were taken to various medical facilities for treatment. Their conditions have not yet been disclosed.

Police have launched an investigation and are searching for the perpetrators. No arrests have been made so far, and the motive behind the mass shooting remains unclear.

The incident is one of the deadliest mass shootings reported in the Johannesburg area in recent months and has renewed concerns over violent crime in South Africa. Authorities have appealed to the public for any information that could assist in identifying and apprehending the suspects.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar