South African police are still investigating the deaths of over 20 people at a nightclub in East London on early Sunday Morning.
It is still unclear what caused the deaths of the young people, who were reportedly going to a party to celebrate the end of winter exams. Local newspapers such as Daily Dispatch reported that the bodies were lying across tables and chairs with no visible signs of injuries or damage.
“At this point we cannot confirm the cause of death, ” said Siyanda Manana, a member of the South African health department. “We are going to conduct autopsies as soon as possible to establish the probable cause of death. The deceased have been taken to state mortuaries.” There were reports that the young people may have been exposed to poisonous gas.
The police minister, Bheki Cele, went to the scene on Sunday morning. “From what we see here, it does not look like a stampede, hence we brought our forensic team from Pretoria to focus on what transpired at the tavern,” he said.
The owner of the nightclub, Syiakhangela Ndevu told the broadcast eNCA that he had been to the scene early Sunday morning. “I am still uncertain about what really happened, but when I was called in the morning I was told the place was too full and that some people were trying to force their way into the tavern,” he said. “However, we will hear what the police say about the cause of death,” he added.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tweeted, “This tragedy is made even more grave by its occurrence during Youth Month – a time during which we celebrate young people, advocate and advance opportunities for improved socio-economic conditions for the youth of our nation.”
Sources: https://www.npr.org/2022/06/26/1107691194/south-african-police-investigating-deaths-20-nightclub
It is still unclear what caused the deaths of the young people, who were reportedly going to a party to celebrate the end of winter exams. Local newspapers such as Daily Dispatch reported that the bodies were lying across tables and chairs with no visible signs of injuries or damage.
“At this point we cannot confirm the cause of death, ” said Siyanda Manana, a member of the South African health department. “We are going to conduct autopsies as soon as possible to establish the probable cause of death. The deceased have been taken to state mortuaries.” There were reports that the young people may have been exposed to poisonous gas.
The police minister, Bheki Cele, went to the scene on Sunday morning. “From what we see here, it does not look like a stampede, hence we brought our forensic team from Pretoria to focus on what transpired at the tavern,” he said.
The owner of the nightclub, Syiakhangela Ndevu told the broadcast eNCA that he had been to the scene early Sunday morning. “I am still uncertain about what really happened, but when I was called in the morning I was told the place was too full and that some people were trying to force their way into the tavern,” he said. “However, we will hear what the police say about the cause of death,” he added.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tweeted, “This tragedy is made even more grave by its occurrence during Youth Month – a time during which we celebrate young people, advocate and advance opportunities for improved socio-economic conditions for the youth of our nation.”
Sources: https://www.npr.org/2022/06/26/1107691194/south-african-police-investigating-deaths-20-nightclub
