蜜芽传媒

South African authorities are investigating the deaths of at least 21 young people in a nightclub.

The victims were found strewn across floors and tables the Enyobeni Tavern in the coastal town of East London.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his "deepest condolences" to families of the victims, and expressed concerns that many of these individuals may have been underage.

"This tragedy is made even more grave by its occurrence during Youth Month - a time during which we... advocate and advance opportunities for improved socio-economic conditions for the youth of our nation," he said in a tweet.

The South African journalist Junior Khumalo told Newsday, "I think there's been an uproar in terms of the age of these youngsters. A lot of people are concerned, regarding how such young people were allowed to go into this place because you're not allowed if you're less than 18 to attend such functions in South Africa, so that's the uproar. Also there's been a lot of confusion because a lot of people are now speculating, because of the lack of information regarding how these young people passed away. So people are speculating, people are coming with with all sorts of conspiracy theories, So I think also, law enforcement and also national government need to at least give some information, so that it adverts such a problem".

(Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

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