‘We are suffocating’: Details emerge as 21 teens found dead in South Africa nightclub

Survivor statements from Enyobeni Tavern reveal a chaotic scene of death and confusion on the night that 21 teens mysteriously died in a South African nightclub.

As authorities continue their investigation into the mysterious deaths of 21 teenagers who died while partying at a South African nightclub, survivor statements have revealed new details about that deadly night.

To celebrate the end of school exams, a number of underage teenagers gathered at the Enyobeni Tavern in East London on Saturday evening and partied until the early hours of the next morning. Survivors speak of smelling a strong and suffocating smell that filled the packed club as teens started to collapse on the dance floor.

Police discovered bodies slumped over chairs and couches, lying on tables and sprawled on the dance floor of the club. The youngest victim was a 13-year-old girl.

“They died as they danced,” Police Minister Bheki Cele said. “They dance, fall, and die. Literally.”

“Others would just feel dizzy, sleep on the sofa, (and) die. It tells you the story that they were all kids because somebody should have taken note.”

A number of theories into how this tragedy occurred have emerged in the absence of hard answers. At first, police suspected that a stampede of people may have caused the deaths but that was quickly ruled out. A gas leak has also been suspected.

Forensic samples from the young victims are being tested at a toxicology laboratory to determine if the teens were poisoned.

Sinovuyo Monyane, 19, who was hired by the bar to promote an alcohol brand, was among the survivors and she counts herself lucky to be alive.