Five East London tavern victims still not identified

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DispatchLIVE
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Members of the pathology department carry out bodies from the tavern.
Image: MARK ANDREWS

Five bodies from the East London tavern tragedy have not yet been identified, the Eastern Cape health department said on Monday.

Twenty-one young patrons, whose ages ranged between 13 and 20, died under mysterious circumstances at Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Though it was initially thought the deaths were caused by a stampede, authorities later indicated this might not be the case.

Parents were taken to Woodbrook state mortuary on Sunday after waiting for hours outside the tavern.

On Monday, provincial health department spokesperson Yonela Dekeda confirmed that the death toll remained at 21.

“Yesterday [Sunday] 21 bodies from the Scenery Park tavern tragedy were taken to Woodbrook mortuary, 16 of those have been identified by their families, five have not been identified,” Dekeda said.

“We ware hoping that today [Monday] the families of those who have not been identified will come forward for the identification process.

“The postmortems were completed by last night and the bodies will be released to their families today [Monday].

“The forensic report is not ready yet as samples have been submitted to the forensic lab for analysis.

“Once these results are received the report will be finalised and handed to the  SAPS.”

Five youngsters were rushed to Frere Hospital for medical attention shortly after the tragedy.

“One was dead on arrival, two of them were treated and discharged and the two are still in hospital,” Dekeda said.

“A further 26 patients were taken to Mpilweni Gompo Health Centre.

“Sixteen of those were treated and discharged on Sunday, presenting with backache, tight chests, vomiting and headaches.

“An additional 10 were observed and did not present with symptoms and were released.”

Two other victims rushed to Empilweni Gompo Community Health Care Centre were declared dead on arrival.

“As the department we wish to send our heartfelt condolences to families of those who perished during this unfortunate and tragic incident,” Dekeda said.

DispatchLIVE

 

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