The toxic chemical methanol has been identified as a possible cause of death for 21 teenagers in a pub in East London, South Africa last month, as the substance was found all over their bodies, according to the Associated Press.
The agency notes that investigations are still ongoing to determine whether levels of the toxic chemical were sufficient to kill them.
“Methanol was detected in all 21 individuals, but there is still a step-by-step analysis of quantitative levels of methanol and whether it was the leading cause of death,” Eastern Cape medical officer Letha Matewan said.
He added that the authorities are still waiting for the conclusive results, which are conducted in a laboratory in the city of “Cape Town”.
Methanol is a toxic form of alcohol that is used industrially as a solvent, insecticide, or alternative fuel source, and is not used in the production of alcohol sold for human consumption.
It is not yet known how these children ingested methanol.
Matewan said alcohol poisoning and carbon monoxide inhalation were ruled out as possible causes of death, although traces of both were found in the bodies of all 21 victims.
The teens died in a bar in the early hours of June 26, shocking the country and launching investigations by police and liquor licensing authorities, as their bodies were found strewn across tables and sofas, while others died following being taken to nearby health facilities.
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