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Reuters
Reuters
Environment
By Johnnie Isaac

South Africans mourn deaths of 21 teenagers in tavern tragedy

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa looks on as he joins mourners gathered in the coastal city of East London to grieve the still-mysterious deaths of 21 teenagers in a poorly ventilated local tavern, in East London, in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa, July 6, 2022. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

South African mourners gathered in the coastal city of East London on Wednesday to grieve the still-mysterious deaths of 21 teenagers in a poorly ventilated local tavern 10 days ago.

Dressed in black, they sung and danced to solemn gospel songs in front of the coffins of 19 of the victims, the youngest of whom was a 13-year-old girl, Thembinkosi Silwane.

Neighbours and family members sing church hymns next to Asanda Monelo, ahead of a mass funeral in the Eastern Cape province, in East London, South Africa, July 5, 2022. Monelo lost her 17-year-old son Aluncedo at an east coast tavern, where bodies of youth were found, which prompted nationwide grief. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

All were empty, the funeral parlour said, as police were still investigating the deaths - the remaining two were buried separately by their families.

"Our hearts are broken. There are parents who will not get to hug or kiss their son or daughter again ... They each had beautiful dreams. They each had a bright future ahead of them," President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a speech at the funeral.

"This tragedy has affected all of us as a nation."

People gather near empty coffins ahead of a mass funeral for victims of an east coast tavern where bodies of youth were found which prompted nationwide grief, in the Eastern Cape province, in East London, South Africa, July 6, 2022. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

The incident in a popular nightspot in Scenery Park township, outside the city of East London, at the end of last month, provoked an outpouring of sorrow and soul-searching in a nation accustomed to injuries from a heavy-drinking culture.

It has also reignited a debate about South Africa's stark inequalities, with many, including the billionaire President Ramaphosa himself, pointing out lack of viable sports grounds, youth centres or libraries in townships such as Scenery park.

"We want the answers," Silwane's mother Thobeka told Reuters, wearing a black head-wrap and wiping away tears, who said she also blamed herself for allowing her child out. "I don't know what children of her age were doing in that kind of tavern."

Women sing church hymns during a mass funeral for victims of an east coast tavern where bodies of youth were found which prompted nationwide grief, in the Eastern Cape province, in East London, South Africa, July 6, 2022. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Forensic teams investigating how the youths died have yet to reveal their conclusions. The most likely cause appears to be some kind of chemical or gas leak on the ground floor of the venue, which was packed and had little ventilation. Another theory authorities have been investigating is that they were poisoned by something they ate, drank or smoked.

"We will do everything in our power to ensure that a tragedy of this kind does not repeat itself," Eastern Cape Premiere Oscar Mabuyane said.

Some of the survivors admitted to hospital complained of chest pains. Others spoke of trying to leave in panic as people dropped dead around them, but being unable to find an exit.

A boy reacts during a mass funeral for victims of an east coast tavern where bodies of youth were found which prompted nationwide grief, in the Eastern Cape province, in East London, South Africa, July 6, 2022. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

"Focus not on the shame and embarrassment ... but on the grief at the loss," the preacher, Bathandwa Kwatsha, urged during a prayer for the crying families. "God will comfort you," she said in the local Xhosa language.

(Reporting by Johnnie Isaac; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Alex Richardson)

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