All 13 people taken hostage in a supermarket in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province were rescued late on Tuesday, and one security guard was shot dead.
Police failed to find any hostage takers, believed to be two armed robbers, inside the building in Mthatha, the SAPA news agency reported.
None of the hostages had been harmed during the nine-hour drama. But a guard who was collecting money when a gang of robbers entered the store was shot dead.
"We have managed to rescue all 13 hostages. A task team went inside the building but couldn't find them (the hostage takers)," Eastern Cape police spokesman Mzukisi Fatyela was quoted as saying.
The ordeal for the 13 people started at 11 a.m. (0900 GMT) on Tuesday when a gang of six armed men entered the supermarket.
Police officers patrolling the area were alerted about the incident. Four robbers fled and police gave chase.
One robber was shot dead and another was arrested a few kilometers from the scene. Two ran away.
Fatyela said police believed the hostage takers were left behind when the other robbers fled the scene.
Police recovered the getaway car, and confiscated two rifles and two pistols. No money was recovered.
Source: Xinhua
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