Mass Funeral Held For 21 Teenagers Who Mysteriously Died At South African Nightclub

The loss of 21 children is terrible.

The details behind the deaths of 21 minors at a well-known nightclub where the doors were "suddenly closed and some type of chemical agent was pumped inside" remain unknown.

When rescue personnel arrived at the Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park, a neighborhood on the outskirts of East London in South Africa's Eastern Cape region, on June 26, 17 of the 21 fatalities had already occurred.

Reuters

According to authorities, the victims, who were between the ages of 13 and 17, were discovered scattered across the tables in the late-night bar.

Reuters

According to local sources, they had been out to celebrate the result of the June school exams and showed no apparent signs of injury.

No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been named in connection with the probe, according to police.

(Image: STRINGER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

"There are no new developments at this stage," Brig. Tembinkosi Kinana, a spokesperson for the South African Police Service, told ABC News (Tuesday, July 5).

"At an appropriate time and once the [toxicology] results are out, a formal statement will be issued. It has not yet been determined as to when the results will be out."

(Image: STR/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

On Wednesday, almost a thousand people came to the seaside South African town to attend the burial of 21 teenagers.

Among the grieving families, friends and other members of the community in East London's Scenery Park township, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was also the mourner.

When giving the eulogy for the young victims, Ramaphosa said the last words of the youngest -- a 13-year-old boy -- was: "Mama, I am coming back."

(Phill Magakoe/AFP via Getty Images)

Hundreds more people sat outside and watched on television since the massive tent set up on a sports field for the service could not hold everyone who came.

The victims' friends and classmates paid their tributes while wearing school attire. In addition to pictures of each of the deceased, candles were lighted.

Reuters

Sibongile Mtsewu, 22, a resident of Scenery Park, who was present in the bar, claimed that while he was making his drink order, the doors abruptly closed and some sort of chemical agent—possibly tear gas or pepper spray—was discharged into the air.

"There was no way out," Mtsewu told ABC News in a telephone interview last week. "There was no chance to breathe."

(Phill Magakoe/AFP via Getty Images)

According to ABC, toxicology findings are still awaited.

"There are no new developments at this stage," Brig. Tembinkosi Kinana, a spokesperson for the South African Police Service, told ABC News on Tuesday." At an appropriate time and once the [toxicology] results are out, a formal statement will be issued. It has not yet been determined as to when the results will be out."

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The owners of the Enyobeni Tavern are facing criminal charges from the Eastern Cape Liquor Board for allegedly providing alcohol to underage kids.

All of those who died were under the legal drinking age of 18.