- At least 21 people were mysteriously found dead in a bar in
South Africa on Sunday. - Authorities said some of the victims were underage, with the youngest being 13 years old.
At least 21 people, most of whom were teenagers, were mysteriously found dead in a bar in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa on Sunday, according to multiple reports.
The local newspaper DispatchLive reported the victims were strewn across floors and tables in the early hours of Sunday morning in the popular Enyobeni Tavern in the town of East London.
Unathi Binqose — a safety-government official who was at the scene — told Agence France-Presse that authorities found empty bottles of alcohol alongside the victims.
The BBC reported that Bheki Cele — the police minister — said the victims were largely underage, with the youngest being 13 years old.
Reuters reported Cele as saying the victims were largely between 18 and 20. A detailed list of the victims' ages and identities has not yet been released. The legal drinking age in South Africa is 18 years old.
The Associated Press reported that many of the victims are thought to have been celebrating the end of their winter school exams.
AFP reported that authorities said they ruled out a stampede as the cause of death after earlier reports said there was a rush to enter the bar, which had been very full.
They also said there were "no visible wounds" on any of the victims.
Binqose told AFP that forensic investigators would take samples to check for poisoning.
Cele, who went to the morgue to inspect the bodies of the deceased, told reporters: "When you look at their faces, you realize that we're dealing with kids, kids, kids, kids," CNN reported.
"You have heard the story that they are young. But when you see them, you realize that it is a disaster," he said.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also expressed his "deepest condolences" to the victims' families on Sunday.
A 17-year-old girl who lived close to the tavern told Reuters the bar was a popular hangout for teenagers.
"Everyone wants it closed down because they sell alcohol to underage children. Everyone is angry, everyone is sad because of what happened," she told Reuters.