South African authorities are investigating the deaths of at least 22 young people found inside a popular tavern in the coastal town of East London, provincial health officials say.
It is unclear what led to the deaths of the young people, who were reportedly attending a party to celebrate the end of winter school exams.
State broadcaster SABC reported the deaths resulted from a possible stampede, but was scant on details.
Local newspaper Daily Dispatch said the bodies were strewn across tables and chairs without any visible signs of injuries.
The bodies will be transported to state mortuaries where relatives are expected to help identify both male and female victims, said Siyanda Manana, a spokesperson for the Eastern Cape provincial health department.
"We are going to immediately be embarking on autopsies so we can know the probable cause of death," he said as forensic personnel continued their work at the cordoned-off crime site at Enyobeni Tavern.
"We are talking 22 bodies right now," Mr Manana said, adding that toxicology tests were part of the examination.
Tavern was popular meeting spot
Expressing his condolences to the families, President Cyril Ramaphosa said he was worried about the circumstances under which young people, potentially under the age of 18 years, were allowed to gather at the tavern.
Mr Ramaphosa said in a statement the law must take its course once investigations conclude.
"The call is on the parents to see that their kids are kept well, the call is on the community to say we can't allow our kids to die," Bheki Cele, the national police minister, told a large crowd in Scenery Park during an impromptu visit broadcast live on television.
A 17-year-old girl, who only gave her name as Lolly and lived close to the tavern, said the venue was a popular hangout with teenagers, but the community wanted it shut down after the tragedy.
Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said police were alerted by members of the public to the incident in Scenery Park, about three kilometres from East London's city centre.
Reuters/AP
