South African president mourns for 22 teenagers dead in tavern

Xinhua
27 Jun 2022, 02:18 GMT+10

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday afternoon mourned for the death of "22 teenagers" at a tavern, or pub, in East London, Eastern Cape Province, in the early hours of this morning.

CAPE TOWN, June 26 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday afternoon mourned for the death of "22 teenagers" at a tavern, or pub, in East London, Eastern Cape Province, in the early hours of this morning.

Ramaphosa is "concerned about the reported circumstances under which such young people were gathered at a venue which, on the face of it, should be off limits to persons under the age of 18," said a statement issued by the presidency.

The tragedy is made more grave as it occured during Youth Month, Ramaphosa said in the statement.

South African police are still investigating the case and the cause is unclear. The presidency statement didn't gave the cause of the incident, saying the president is waiting for more information.

Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, which includes East London, early on said over 20 young people died in the incident. It is the "worst tragedy that has ever happened in our Metro," its mayor Xola Pakati said in a statement.

The police had refused to make any speculations about the cause, but said they are hoping to get the facts "before the end of the day."

Minister of Police Bheki Cele led a national delegation to the scene, which consists of National Commissioner of South African police Fannie Masemola, crime scene experts and bomb disposal technicians.

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