South African authorities are investigating the deaths of at least 22 young people found inside a popular tavern in the coastal city of east London, according to provincial health officials.
Key points:
- Victims reportedly attended a party at Scenery Park to celebrate the end of school exams
- Local media said the bodies were strewn across tables and chairs with no visible signs of injuries
- South African police say the deaths are being investigated
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.
State broadcaster SABC reported that the deaths were the result of a possible stampede, but had no details.
Local newspaper Daily Dispatch said the bodies were strewn across tables and chairs with no visible signs of injuries.
The bodies will be transported to state funeral homes where relatives are expected to help identify both male and female victims, said Siyanda Manana, a spokeswoman for the Eastern Cape provincial health department.
“We will immediately embark on the autopsies so that we can know the probable cause of death,” he said as forensic staff continued to work at the crime scene at the Enyobeni tavern.
“We’re talking about 22 bodies right now,” Manana said, adding that the toxicology tests were part of the examination.
Police had been alerted by members of the public about the incident in Scenery Park, East London. (Reuters)
The tavern was a popular meeting point
Expressing his condolences to the families, President Cyril Ramaphosa said he was concerned about the circumstances under which young people, potentially under-18s, could gather at the tavern.
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Ramaphosa said in a statement that the law must continue its course once the investigations are completed.
“The call is for parents to see that their children are doing well, the call is for the community to say we cannot allow our children to die,” National Police Minister Bheki Cele told a large crowd at Scenery Park. during an impromptu visit broadcast live on television.
A 17-year-old girl, who only gave her name as Lolly and lived near the tavern, said the venue was a popular meeting place for teenagers, but the community wanted it to close after the tragedy.
“Everyone wants to shut it down because they sell alcohol to minors. Everyone is angry, everyone is sad about what happened,” he said.
Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said police were alerted by members of the public about the incident at Scenery Park, about three miles from east London city center.
“What has happened can be equated with a massacre,” East London Mayor Xola Pakati said in a statement.
Reuters / AP
Posted 53 minutes ago 53 minutes ago dig. June 26, 2022 at 14:10, updated 48 minutes ago 48 minutes ago dig. June 26, 2022 at 2:15 p.m.