Durban – A heavily-armed gang of five men tried to rob the Wild Coast Sun casino at the weekend, said Sun International resort on Monday.

The gunmen entered the casino at 00:45 on Sunday and forced patrons and staff to lie on the floor, said Wild Coast Sun general-manager Alec McMath on Monday.

Two of the robbers tried unsuccessfully to break into the cash desk, said McMath, who was in a meeting with security staff for most of Monday about the attempted robbery.

„On leaving the casino the gang encountered a member of the resort’s armed response unit and shots were exchanged,“ said McMath.

Claims R15 000 was snatched

„No patrons or staff of the casino were hurt during the two-minute attempted robbery.“

No arrests had been made yet.

Tourist Seelan Govender, of Phoenix, Durban, told The Mercury newspaper that a woman in his party was pistol-whipped during the incident and that members of the group were robbed of R15 000 and personal belongings.

The police were not available for comment about this.