The mystery lingers over the deaths of 21 young men at an informal bar in east London at the end of June. South AfricaSouth African authorities announced on Tuesday July 19, after the publication of the first toxicological analyses, which did not bring any results.
Analyzes carried out by a laboratory in Cape Town revealed the presence of alcohol in the blood of the victims, but not at dangerous levels, said Lita Madiwane of the Eastern Cape Provincial Health Service. “We have determined blood alcohol levels to be between 0.50 and 2.60 grams per liter of blood, which does not allow us to conclude that dangerous toxicology exists.”The doctor said during a televised press conference from East London.
For carbon monoxide, the concentration of hemoglobin in blood ranges from 3.3% to 21%, which is below the fatality threshold of 50%, he said. The lab has detected methanol in the blood of all the victims, but further testing is needed to determine the level, he added.
21 youths, aged between 14 and 20, were found mysteriously dead in the Ennopenny pub in Scenery Park, East London. Most of the bodies were found unharmed in the bar on June 26. Some died in hospital within hours. Officials said a deadly stampede was unlikely. Survivors spoke of a “stress smell” And the evidence suggested intoxication or poisoning.
The 52-year-old owner of the secretive but well-tolerated bar is due in court on August 19 to answer charges of selling alcohol to minors. Two of its employees, aged 33 and 34, have already been fined 2,000 rand (120 euros) for the same reason, South African police said.
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