POLICE in South Africa are combing a township tavern for evidence today, after the mysterious death of 21 teenagers after a night out.

Most of the victims, some as young as 13 years, were found dead inside a popular bar in the southern city of East London. Some died later in hospital.

They bore no visible signs of injury, sparking speculation among local officials and politicians that this is a case of under-age drinking that went tragically wrong.

Special investigators from Pretoria have been rushed to the scene.

“The detectives will be resuming their work at the crime scene today,” said regional police spokesman Thembinkosi Kinana.

Many of the victims are thought to have been students celebrating the end of their high-school exams, said officials.

Autopsies are being conducted to see if the deaths can be linked to poisoning.

“Post-mortems (were) completed by last night and the bodies will be released to their families today,” said Yonela Dekeda, provincial spokesman for the health department.

Forensic analysis will be conducted this week.

“Samples are taken and on first flight today to Cape Town, where the tests will be conducted,” said Unathi Binqose, a government official on safety.

Drinking in South Africa is permitted for over-18s. But in township taverns, which are often located cheek-by-jowl with family homes, safety regulations and drinking-age laws are not always enforced.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is among those who have voiced concern.

The teenagers reportedly “gathered at a venue which, on the face of it, should be off-limits to persons under the age of 18”, he said. – AFP, June 27, 2022.