Two people died during a shootout between police and suspected armed robbers in Epping.

Police rushed to the scene of a business robbery in progress at a hypermarket there on Sunday, they came across several armed suspects preparing to flee the scene.

According to the police’s Wesley Twigg, that’s when the shootout began.

“They fired several shots at the police and fled in two vehicles. SAPS members returned fire – while in pursuit – resulting in the suspects losing control of the vehicle and colliding with a stationary vehicle.”

Twigg says two of the suspects died and four others were seriously injured.

 “The four are under police guard in hospital. Meanwhile, a 32-year-old suspect was apprehended close to the business premises. Other suspects fled in the direction of Langa and their vehicle was later found abandoned. They are yet to be arrested with a manhunt by police currently underway. Cases of armed robbery and attempted murder have since been opened.”