The state broadcaster SABC reported the deaths Sunday as a result of a possible rush, but was scarce about details as the exact cause of death remained unknown.
The bodies will be transported to state mortuaries where next of kin are expected to help identify both male and female victims, said Siyanda Manana, a spokesperson for the Eastern Cape provincial health department.
“We are going to start with autopsies immediately so that we can know the probable cause of death,” he told Reuters as forensic personnel continued their work at the cordoned-off crime scene at Enyobeni Tavern.
“We are currently talking about 22 bodies,” Manana said, adding that toxicological tests were part of the investigation.
President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences to affected families and said he was concerned about the circumstances under which young people, possibly under the age of 18, are allowed to gather at the tavern.
Ramaphosa said in a statement that the law should take its course once investigations have been completed.
“The call is on the parents to see that their children are well taken care of, the call is on the community to say we can not allow our children to die,” Bheki Cele, the national police minister, told a large crowd in Scenery Park said during an impromptu visit broadcast live on television.
A 17-year-old girl, who only mentioned her name as “Lolly” and lived near the tavern, told Reuters the venue is a popular hangout among teenagers, but the community wanted it to be closed after the tragedy .
“Everyone wants it to be closed because they sell alcohol to minors. Everyone is angry, everyone is sad about what happened,” she said.
Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana had earlier said police had been notified by members of the public of the incident in Scenery Park, about 3km from the city center.
“What happened could be equated with a massacre,” East London senior Xola Pakati said in a statement.