Faith Nyasuguta
Investigators have identified the toxic chemical methanol as a possible cause of the deaths of 21 teenagers at a bar in the South African city of East London in June.
Methanol was found in all of their bodies and probe is ongoing to determine whether the levels of the toxic chemical were enough to have killed them.
“Methanol has been detected in all the 21 individuals that were there, however it is still a progressive analysis of the quantitative levels of methanol and whether it could have been the final cause of death,” Dr. Litha Matiwane, Eastern Cape provincial deputy director for clinical service said.
Local leaders are still awaiting the conclusive results which are being conducted at a laboratory in the city of Cape Town, he said.
Scientists describe methanol as a toxic form of alcohol that is used industrially as a solvent, pesticide or an alternative source of fuel.
It is not used in the production of alcohol sold for human consumption. It is still not known how the youngsters ingested the methanol.
So far, alcohol poisoning and inhalation of carbon monoxide have both been out as possible causes of death although traces of both were detected in the bodies of all 21 victims, said Matiwane.
As reported earlier, the teenagers died at the Enyobeni tavern in East London’s Scenery Park township in the early hours of June 26, shocking the nation and resulting in several investigations by the police and liquor license authorities.
Many of the teens, ranging in age between 13 and 17, were found dead in the tavern, with their bodies strewn across tables and couches.
Others succumbed after they were rushed to nearby health facilities.
South Africa’s police will be guided by the final results of the toxicology analysis to determine whether anyone will face criminal charges for the 21 deaths, national police minister Bheki Cele has said.
The owner of Enyobeni tavern and some employees were arrested and are currently out on bail as they face charges related to the violation of liquor trading laws, including the sale of liquor to children.
