Article author:
Reuters
East London — South African mourners gathered in a coastal city in East London on Wednesday, mourning the still mysterious death of 21 teenagers in a poorly ventilated local pub 10 days ago.
Dressed in black, sang and danced to the solemn gospel song in front of the victim's casket 19. Police were still investigating the dead, so all funeral hall staff said they were empty.
The other two were buried separately by their families. Some mourners broke and cried, while others solemnly bowed. President Cyril Ramaphosa was expected to attend.
At the end of last month, an incident at a popular nightspot in Scenery Park Township outside the city of East London caused a rush of sorrow and a quest for many souls. A country accustomed to frequent injuries due to heavy drinking culture.
The youngest victim was a 13-year-old girl.
"Focus on the confused sadness, not the shame and embarrassment around you," preacher Batandova Kwatsha said in a prayer for a crying family. I urged you. "God comforts you," she said in local Xhosa.
The forensic team investigating how the youth died has yet to come to a conclusion. The most likely cause is likely to be a chemical or gas leak on the ground floor of the venue. This venue was full and had little ventilation.
Another theory the authorities are investigating is that they were poisoned by what they ate, drank, and smoked.
Some of the survivors admitted to the hospital complained of chest pain. Others said they tried to panic because they died and fell around them, but couldn't find an exit.
Residents have stated that they have protested outside the tavern and asked authorities to close it. The license was revoked last week. (Report by Johnny Isaac, Written by Tim Kok, Edited by Alex Richardson)
