Three police officers stationed at the Johannesburg International airport were wounded by armed robbers on Thursday night and some flights were delayed, police said.
North Rand police spokesperson Superintendent Eugene Opperman said two of the officers were in hospital in a serious condition.
”It is alleged that a gang of about five armed men had tried to steal some valuable cargo which was supposed to be loaded onto an aircraft. The attempted robbery took place on the air side of the airport,” Opperman said.
According to radio reports, the robbers were attempting to hold up workers loading precious cargo — including gold and diamonds — onto an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight.
”The robbers fired shots at the police officers who escorted the cargo,” Opperman added.
Two of the police officers accompanying the cargo were wounded.
The third police officer was shot when he ran towards his colleagues to help them.
The robbers then fled into all directions — without taking anything.
The airport and all its entrances to the air side, meaning the runways and aircraft parking area, were immediately closed so that police reinforcements could search the premises.
”Some flights were delayed while police painstakingly searched for the suspects and clues on the crime scene,” Opperman explained.
”No arrests were made. Police are, however, following up on some leads.”
Opperman said detectives from the North Rand SAPS Serious and Violent Crime Investigation Unit were now in charge of the investigation. – Sapa