At least 27 people were killed and more than 20 wounded in two mass shootings in South African townships within hours of each other, police said on Sunday. The attacks rank among the country’s deadliest gun episodes.

Late on Saturday, eight gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire at a bar in Wedela township, southwest of Johannesburg, at about 9:30 p.m. Seventeen people — 13 men and four women — were killed and at least 15 others were wounded, the South African Police Service said. The attackers stole victims’ mobile phones before fleeing in two vehicles. Two cars were set alight outside the bar.

About four hours later, gunmen killed 10 people and wounded 11 at a store in Lwandle township near Cape Town at around 1 a.m. on Sunday. Police said they were searching for multiple suspects. No arrests have been made in either shooting, and police have deployed specialist units to both townships.

The attacks came five days after a mass shooting at a house party near Durban killed 11 people, including a pregnant woman. South Africa has some of the world’s highest homicide rates, and authorities link many mass shootings to gangs and illegal firearms.