Police kills 34 in one of the bloodiest shootings since apartheid

A police shooting at a South African platinum mine left 34 dead and 78 injured. As many as 259 people were arrested.

Police opened fire with automatic rifles and pistols on Thursday when confronted by a group of striking mineworkers, some of whom were carrying weapons.

On Friday, senior police officials held a press conference to defend their actions, stressing that the protesters had guns. Still, only one officer was injured, and video of the shooting shows police opening fire into a crowd until an officer shouts, "cease fire."

An independent investigation has been launched, gathering ballistic and forensic evidence to find out if the shooting was justified.