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, aged 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 mortuary on Sunday after waiting for hours outside the tavern.
On Monday, provincial health department spokesperson Yonela Dekeda confirmed the death toll remained at 21.
“Yesterday [Sunday] 21 bodies from the Scenery Park tavern tragedy were taken to Woodbrook mortuary. Sixteen of those have been identified by their families, five have not been identified.
“We were hoping that today [Monday] the families of those who have not been identified would come forward for the identification process,” said Dekeda.
“The postmortems were completed by last night [Sunday] and the bodies will be released to their families today [Monday].
“The forensic report is not yet ready as samples have been submitted to the laboratory for analysis.
“Once these are received the report will be finalised and handed to the SAPS.”
Five people were taken 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 Empilweni 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 taken to Empilweni Gompo Community Health Care Centre were declared dead on arrival.
“As the department we send our heartfelt condolences to families of those who died during this unfortunate and tragic incident,” Dekeda said.
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