Article author:
Associated Press
Johannesburg (AP) — South African police are investigating at least 20 dead at a nightclub in a coastal town in East London early Sunday morning.
The cause of the deaths of young people reportedly attending a party celebrating the end of the winter school exam is unclear.
The local newspaper Daily Dispatch reported that the bodies were scattered on tables and chairs with no visible signs of injury.
"We cannot determine the cause of death at this time," said Syanda Manana, a spokesman for the Department of Health.
"We plan to perform an autopsy as soon as possible to determine the possible cause of death. The deceased was taken to the morgue." Manana added.
Police Minister Bheki Cele was scheduled to visit the scene on Sunday morning.
Club owner Siyakhangela Ndevu told local broadcaster eNCA that he was called to the scene early Sunday morning.
"I still don't know what actually happened, but when I got a call in the morning, it was said that the place was full and some people were trying to push it into the tavern. "He said.
"But we will hear the police say about the cause of death," Ndevu added.
