A general view of empty coffins used in a symbolic mass memorial service in East London on July 6, 2022, after 21 people, mostly teens, died in unclear circumstances at a township tavern last month, in an incident that shocked South Africa. (Photo by Phill Magakoe/AFP via Getty Images) JOHANNESBURG (AP) - The toxic chemical methanol has been identified as a possible cause of the deaths of 21 teenagers at a bar in the South African city of East London last month.Methanol was found in all of their bodies and investigations are continuing 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 there is still 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 at press conference in East London Tuesday.Authorities are still awaiting the conclusive results which are being conducted at a laboratory in the city of Cape Town, he said.Methanol is 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 yet not known how the youngsters ingested the methanol.Alcohol poisoning and inhalation of carbon monoxide have both been ruled out as possible causes of death although traces of both were detected in the bodies of all 21 victims, said Matiwane.Forensic personel carry a body out of a township pub in South Africa's southern city of East London on June 26, 2022, after 21 teenagers died.