Health Authorities: "Too Many People at the Accident Site Caused Death by Suffocation"
Some Bereaved Families Protest Investigation Results
Reports Also Claim Methanol Detected in Victims' Bodies
Last June, an incident occurred at a bar in East London, South Africa, where 21 teenagers died in a group. Photo by AP Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Juri] An investigation has revealed that the cause of the 'mass death incident' in South Africa at the end of June was asphyxiation, raising suspicions among the bereaved families. Health officials explained that the deaths occurred because the bar where the incident took place was overcrowded, but the families remain unconvinced.
According to foreign media including The New York Times on the 1st (local time), health officials from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa informed the victims' families of the cause of death, who have expressed deep disappointment and anger.
The incident, which shocked the entire nation of South Africa, occurred in June. In the early morning, 21 teenagers were found dead together at a bar on the outskirts of East London, a port city in South Africa. The deceased were reportedly found collapsed on tables, sofas, and the floor.
Initial reports indicated that methanol, an industrial toxic alcohol, was detected in the bodies of the deceased, but the investigation results released two months after the incident concluded that 'asphyxiation' was the cause, with local health authorities explaining that the overcrowding at the bar led to the accident.
The authorities have not officially announced these investigation results, as questions remain about why the victims died from asphyxiation collectively.
Sianda Manana, a spokesperson for the local health department, stated that health officials conducted individual interviews with the victims' families and read the toxicology report to them but did not hand over the report. The reason given was, "We do not have the authority to deliver the report."
Local police spokesperson Major Tembinkosi Kinana said they have received the report and that the detectives in charge will cooperate with prosecutors to investigate whether any criminal involvement was present in the case.
Meanwhile, immediately after the incident, the bar owner and two employees were arrested on charges of selling alcohol to minors. The bar was closed following the incident.
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