South African tavern deaths cause + East London tavern deaths updates

At least 22 South Africans were discovered dead inside a popular tavern in the coastal town of East London on Sunday, June 26 2022, according to provincial health officials and the presidency.

According to police minister Bheki Cele, the youngest victim among the at least 21 people who died at a drinking establishment over the weekend was 13.

The cause of the deaths was not immediately clear, and authorities are looking into it.

The victims were discovered strewn across the floors and tables of the Enyobeni Tavern in East London. The bodies were transported to mortuaries for post-mortem examinations.

Mr Cele, who had visited the scene and had been briefed by local police, stated that those who died were between the ages of 13 and 17 – but a detailed list of the victims has yet to be produced. In South Africa, the legal drinking age is 18.

There are reports that people who had gone to the tavern were celebrating the end of school exams.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his “deepest condolences” to the families of the victims.