BRUTAL ATTACK Eight models gang raped while filming a music video as men in balaclavas suddenly appear firing shots in the air

EIGHT models have been gang raped while filming a music video after 17 men in balaclavas suddenly appeared on set firing shots in the air.

The group had been recording a gospel music video when they were set upon at an abandoned mine in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

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The victims tried running away but were stopped by a volley of shots fired into the air.

They were then forced to lay down as a group of men who were wearing balaclavas approached.

The gang took their mobile phones, jewellery, bags, cash and filming equipment before taking one model at a time to an undergrowth and raping them 10 times each.

The victims were raped 32 times in total before South African police arrived.

Cops entered into a gunfight which killed two miners and injured another, according to the Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.

Following the shoot-out, 65 "illegal" miners were arrested.i

Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridil said the crew of 22 people - 12 women and 10 men - were filming a music video when they were attacked by a group of armed men.

It's believed the models had come from nearby Johannesburg. They'd been hired for a day, it's reported.

Cops recovered unlicensed firearms, explosives and items that belonged to the victims during a sting.

They have not yet identified all 17 men on the run, although police minister Bheki Cele said three suspects have been detained.

"The operation is ongoing until all of the suspects are found," he said.

"The response will be serious to show the state our protection of young women is clear.

"One woman was raped 10 times and other eight another six and so on. They were all robbed and all their stuff taken, including their shoes and clothes.

"Even the men were stripped with many left naked or just their underpants on."