South Africa tavern: 22 dead from incident in East London
There are both girls and boys among the victims, including a 13-year-old.
June 27, 2022, 7:24 am

South Africa tavern: 22 dead from incident in East London

Cyril Ramaphosa-South Africa President/Facebook page

South Africa was on Sunday (June 26) mourning the deaths of 22 young people, some of them as young as 13. The tragic incident took place at a tavern in East London, Eastern Cape Province.

There are both girls and boys among the victims, including a 13-year-old, Minister of Police Bheki Cele, who led a national delegation to the scene, told media.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday afternoon mourned for the death of the teenagers.

A statement issued by the presidency that Ramaphosa is "concerned about the reported circumstances under which such young people were gathered at a venue which, on the face of it, should be off limits to persons under the age of 18."

Ramaphosa said in the statement that the tragedy is made more grave as it occured during Youth Month.

People comfort a family member of dead teenager outside a mortuary in East London, South Africa, on June 26, 2022. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday afternoon mourned for the death of "22 teenagers" at a tavern, or pub, in East London, Eastern Cape Province, in the early hours of the morning. South African police are still investigating the case and the cause is unclear. The presidency statement didn't give the cause of the incident, saying the president is waiting for more information. (Photo by Oluthando Mthimkhulu/Xinhua)

South African police are still investigating the case and the cause is unclear. The presidency statement didn't gave the cause of the incident, saying the president is waiting for more information.

He said: "When you look at their faces, you realize that you are dealing with kids, kids, kids, kids. You have heard the story that they are young, but when you see them, you realize that is a disaster."

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The doctor who is leading autopsy told the minister that forensic experts are still collecting the information and would not love to tell him the situation, said Cele, adding that they confirmed that "the death is not natural."

The minister said they will take a few samples to toxicology in Cape Town, which is more advanced.

The delegation consists of National Commissioner of South African police Fannie Masemola, crime scene experts and bomb disposal technicians.

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Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, which includes East London, early on said over 20 young people died in the incident. Its mayor Xola Pakati said in a statement that it is the "worst tragedy that has ever happened in our Metro."

The Xinhua noed that the police had refused to make any speculations about the cause, but said they are hoping to get the facts "before the end of the day."

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