The result of an autopsy conducted on the bodies of 21 teenagers who died at a bar in the East London city of South Africa has revealed the presence of a toxic chemical, methanol, in their blood.
The bodies of the teenagers, all between 14 and 18 years, were discovered inside the tavern last month which drew public outcry and led to the arrest of the owner of the tavern and two workers who have been charged with manslaughter.
The autopsy report signed by Dr Litha Matiwane, the Eastern Cape Provincial Deputy Director for Clinical Service, showed that “methanol was found in all of their bodies and investigations are continuing to determine whether the levels of the toxic chemical were enough to have killed them.”
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Dr Matiwane said:
“Methanol has been detected in all the 21 individuals that were there, however, there is still progressive analysis of the quantitative levels of methanol and whether it could have been the final cause of death.
“Alcohol poisoning and inhalation of carbon monoxide have both been ruled out as possible causes of death although traces of both were detected in the bodies of all 21 victims,” she added.
The teenagers had died at the Enyobeni tavern in East London’s Scenery Park township in the early hours of June 26, resulting in several investigations by the police and liquor license authorities.
Many of the teens were found dead in the tavern, with their bodies strewn across tables and couches, while others died after they were rushed to nearby health facilities.
The South African police while responding to the autopsy report, said it will be guided by the final results of the toxicology analysis to determine whether anyone will face criminal charges for the 21 deaths, the national police minister Bheki Cele said in a statement.