TRACES OF METHANOL FOUND IN ENYOBENI TAVERN VICTIMS

Investigators have found traces of a toxic chemical called methanol in the bodies of the 21 teenagers who died in Enyobeni tavern in Scenery Park Township, the coast city of East London on the 26 of June.

According to Litha Matiwane, the Eastern Cape Provincial Deputy Director for clinical services, the chemical was found on all 21 victims.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”Methanol has been detected in all 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”, Matiwane said at a conference in East London on Tuesday.[/perfectpullquote]

Methanol is a non-drinking type of alcohol ( also known as wood alcohol and methyl alcohol), which is mostly used to create fuel, solvents and antifreeze.

“The first way it gets into the body is to ingest it. But it is a byproduct from other chemicals, so it could have been something else, hence we say we are investigating”, Matiwane said.

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Alcohol poisoning and inhalation of carbon dioxide have been ruled out as possible cause of death, although traces of both were detected in the bodies of the 21 victim.