EAST LONDON — 2022 · Major Tragedy
The Enyobeni Tavern Tragedy
On 26 June 2022, 21 young people aged 13 to 21 died at the Enyobeni tavern in East London's Scenery Park during a packed party marking the end of school exams. The lack of visible injuries fuelled weeks of speculation, including theories of poisoning. State forensic pathologists found the deaths were caused by crush asphyxia brought on by extreme overcrowding and poor ventilation. A four-year inquest concluded in July 2026, finding that five people, including the tavern's owners, a police officer and a liquor inspector, may bear criminal responsibility, and referred the case to prosecutors.
- Date
- 2022
- Place
- Scenery Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa, East London, ZA
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Under Investigation
- Coordinates
- -32.9600, 27.8600 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 26 June 2022Twenty-one young people died at the Enyobeni tavern.
- 2022Pathologists gave the cause of death as crush asphyxia.
- August 2023The inquest into the deaths began.
- July 2026The court found five people may bear criminal responsibility.
Sources
- EWN — Court finds Enyobeni Tavern owners liable for deaths of 21 teenagers ewn.co.za ↗
- Daily Maverick — Inquest into deaths of 21 young people at East London tavern set to begin dailymaverick.co.za ↗
- Wikipedia — Enyobeni Tavern disaster en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Daily Maverick
- Eyewitness News
- IOL
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.