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Ambulance at the scene in Gqeberha, South Africa
Photo: Luvuyo Mehlwana / AFP
On Sunday afternoon, eight people died violently in a residential building in Gqeberha, South Africa, the provincial capital of the Eastern Cape Province.
The people were shot at a birthday party while dancing, said police spokeswoman Lirandzu Themba of the German Press Agency.
Two unknown perpetrators stormed the private property around 5:15 p.m. and opened fire.
Four other people were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The police searched for the perpetrators on Monday.
The background is still unclear.
Not all of those killed have been identified so far, but the homeowner is said to be among them.
7000 victims of violence in a quarter of a year
"These victims were killed by criminals and we will not rest until we find out what happened and who is responsible for this cruel and cold-blooded attack," said Eastern Cape Police Chief Nomthetheleli Lillian Mene.
South Africa has a high crime rate.
According to government statistics, more than 7,000 people were killed between the beginning of July and the end of September 2022 alone.
However, incidents like the birthday party are also unusual in the country of 60 million people.
ala/dpa
