Police in South Africa continues to try and make sense of the mysterious tragedy that claimed the lives of 21 teenagers in the southern city of East London. As per an AFP report, survivors have described the incident as a battle to escape jam-packed tavern premises, after a suffocating smell was detected. Of the 21 victims, 17 perished inside the bar while four died in the hospital. Another 31 as per officials had to be hospitalised with symptoms including vomiting, headache, backache and tightness in the chest. At first, it was assumed to be a tragic example of underage drinking gone wrong, but on Monday, more information came to light as survivors described a suffocating 'pepper spray' like the smell inside the crammed double-story structure.

Watch |&nbsp;21 die in South African township club, reasons unclear

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Sinovuyo Monyane, 19, who worked for the bar to promote an alcohol brand, admitted that she was still "confused" but felt fortunate to be alive.

"I passed out at that moment. I was running out of breath and there was a strong smell of some type of spray on in the air. We thought it was pepper spray," she told AFP.

Later on, someone splashed water on her, bringing her back to consciousness.

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In South Africa, the drinking age is 18, but safety restrictions and drinking-age requirements are not always enforced by township bars, which are frequently situated next to family homes.

To determine whether the fatalities could be related to poisoning, autopsies are being performed. A forensic analysis will be conducted this week.

Unathi Binqose, a government official in charge of safety, said that samples had been obtained and were on the first aircraft out today to Cape Town, where the tests will be carried out.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Police in South Africa continues to try and make sense of the mysterious tragedy that claimed the lives of 21 teenagers in the southern city of East London. As per an AFP report, survivors have described the incident as a battle to escape jam-packed tavern premises, after a suffocating smell was detected.

Police in South Africa continues to try and make sense of the mysterious tragedy that claimed the lives of 21 teenagers in the southern city of East London. As per an AFP report, survivors have described the incident as a battle to escape jam-packed tavern premises, after a suffocating smell was detected. Of the 21 victims, 17 perished inside the bar while four died in the hospital. Another 31 as per officials had to be hospitalised with symptoms including vomiting, headache, backache and tightness in the chest. At first, it was assumed to be a tragic example of underage drinking gone wrong, but on Monday, more information came to light as survivors described a suffocating 'pepper spray' like the smell inside the crammed double-story structure. Watch | 21 die in South African township club, reasons unclear Sinovuyo Monyane, 19, who worked for the bar to promote an alcohol brand, admitted that she was still "confused" but felt fortunate to be alive. "I passed out at that moment. I was running out of breath and there was a strong smell of some type of spray on in the air. We thought it was pepper spray," she told AFP. Later on, someone splashed water on her, bringing her back to consciousness. Also read | Probe underway as 22 people die in South African pub, cause unclear In South Africa, the drinking age is 18, but safety restrictions and drinking-age requirements are not always enforced by township bars, which are frequently situated next to family homes. To determine whether the fatalities could be related to poisoning, autopsies are being performed. A forensic analysis will be conducted this week. Unathi Binqose, a government official in charge of safety, said that samples had been obtained and were on the first aircraft out today to Cape Town, where the tests will be carried out. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Youngest victim of mysterious South Africa pub tragedy was 13 years old

A senior safety official said that at least 22 people died at a makeshift nightclub in a township in South Africa's southern city of East London on Sunday (June 26). An official informed that the victims were aged between 18 and 20 years.&nbsp;Bodies were found at the Enyobeni Tavern but the cause of death is still unclear. Media reports mentioned that several people were injured.&nbsp;

Siyanda Manana, a spokesperson for the Eastern Cape provincial health department, told news agency Reuters:&nbsp;"We are going to immediately be embarking on autopsies so we can know the probable cause of death."&nbsp;

"We are talking 22 bodies right now," Manana added.&nbsp;

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A local newspaper website, DispatchLive, reported that "bodies are lying strewn across tables, chairs and on the floor; with no obvious signs of injury".&nbsp;

Several unverified photos of the incidents were circulated on social media forums. They also showed bodies with no visible signs of wounds.&nbsp;

The provincial community and safety department official Unathi Binqose ruled out a stampede as the cause of death.&nbsp;

Binqose told AFP by telephone that "it's difficult to believe it's a stampede as there are no visible open wounds to those dead".&nbsp;

A police spokesman told the Newzroom Africa television channel that the "circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation". "We do not want to make any speculations at this stage," Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said.&nbsp;

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The head of the Eastern Cape Province Oscar Mabuyane was shocked as he spoke from outside the scene. He said, "It's absolutely unbelievable, we can't understand it, losing 20 young lives just like that."&nbsp;

He condemned the "unfortunate consumption, unlimited consumption of liquor". He added, "You cant just trade in the middle of society like this and think that young people are not going to experiment."&nbsp;

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A senior safety official said that at least 22 people died at a makeshift nightclub in a township in South Africa's southern city of East London on Sunday (June 26).

A senior safety official said that at least 22 people died at a makeshift nightclub in a township in South Africa's southern city of East London on Sunday (June 26). An official informed that the victims were aged between 18 and 20 years. Bodies were found at the Enyobeni Tavern but the cause of death is still unclear. Media reports mentioned that several people were injured. Siyanda Manana, a spokesperson for the Eastern Cape provincial health department, told news agency Reuters: "We are going to immediately be embarking on autopsies so we can know the probable cause of death." "We are talking 22 bodies right now," Manana added. ALSO READ | Over 80 asylum seekers died in UK Home Office accommodation since 2020: Report A local newspaper website, DispatchLive, reported that "bodies are lying strewn across tables, chairs and on the floor; with no obvious signs of injury". Several unverified photos of the incidents were circulated on social media forums. They also showed bodies with no visible signs of wounds. The provincial community and safety department official Unathi Binqose ruled out a stampede as the cause of death. Binqose told AFP by telephone that "it's difficult to believe it's a stampede as there are no visible open wounds to those dead". A police spokesman told the Newzroom Africa television channel that the "circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation". "We do not want to make any speculations at this stage," Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said. ALSO READ | Amidst calls for resignation, UK PM Johnson says ‘actively thinking about third term’ The head of the Eastern Cape Province Oscar Mabuyane was shocked as he spoke from outside the scene. He said, "It's absolutely unbelievable, we can't understand it, losing 20 young lives just like that." He condemned the "unfortunate consumption, unlimited consumption of liquor". He added, "You cant just trade in the middle of society like this and think that young people are not going to experiment." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Probe underway as 22 people die in South African pub, cause unclear

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Youngest victim of mysterious South Africa pub tragedy was 13 years old

Probe underway as 22 people die in South African pub, cause unclear