A manhunt is in progress after a mass shooting claimed the lives of 17 people in a remote town in South Africa.
The incident took place in Lusikisiki, located in the Eastern Cape, where two separate homes were targeted. Authorities report that 12 women and one man were killed at one location, while three women and one man were shot dead at a second site.
An 18th victim is currently in critical condition at a hospital. Police are investigating the situation, and updates from government officials are expected soon.
According to local reports, the victims were family members and neighbors from Nyathi village. They had gathered to prepare for a traditional mourning ceremony for a mother and daughter who were murdered the previous year. The group was attacked while packing items and gifts for the event on Friday night.
Officials have condemned the attack, describing it as senseless and brutal, though the motive remains unclear and no arrests have been made. South Africa continues to grapple with one of the highest murder rates in the world, with over 27,000 killings reported in 2022.
