The Associated Press Posted Sunday, June 26, 2022 6:43 AM EDT Last Updated on Sunday, June 26, 2022 6:39 PM EDT
JOHANNESBURG (AP) – South African police were investigating the deaths of at least 21 people at a nightclub in the east London coastal city early Sunday and authorities said most of the victims were under 13 years.
It is unclear what caused the deaths of the young people, who are said to have attended a party to celebrate the end of the winter school exams.
Local newspaper Daily Dispatch reported that the bodies were strewn across tables and chairs with no visible signs of injuries.
“At this time we cannot confirm the cause of death,” health department spokeswoman Siyanda Manana said. “We will conduct autopsies as soon as possible to establish the probable cause of death.”
Police Minister Bheki Cele said the ages of the victims ranged from 13 to 17, and raised questions about why they were serving alcohol to minors.
President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences to the families of the dead.
“The president is, however, concerned about the alleged circumstances in which these young people gathered in a place that apparently should be banned for people under 18,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.
The death toll from the incident rose to 21.
The owner of the club, Siyakhangela Ndevu, told local media that he was called to the scene on Sunday morning.
“I’m still not sure what really happened, but when they called me in the morning they told me the place was too crowded and that some people were trying to get quite into the tavern,” he said. “However, we will hear what the police have to say about the cause of death.”