22 found dead in South African tavern, officials say

PRETORIA, South Africa and LONDON -- At least 22 people were found dead in a South African tavern early on Sunday morning, officials said.

The South African Police Service said they were found dead inside a local tavern in Scenery Park in the area of East London, according to spokesperson Brig. Tembinkosi Kinana.

"We received this report in the early hours of this morning. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation," Kinana said. "We do not want to make any speculation at this stage as our investigations are continuing."

Police responded to the Enyobeni Tavern at about 4 a.m. local time, Kinana said, and were combing the scene for evidence midday. Scenery Park is in East London, a city in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province.

Kinana said the dead were up to 20 years old.

The youngest victim was 13 years old, SAPS spokesperson Col. Athlenda Mathe told reporters. Police were investigating "issues of compliance to liquor legislation," Mathe said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa in a statement on Sunday raised questions about why young teenagers had been in the tavern.

"This tragedy is made even more grave by its occurrence during Youth Month -- a time during which we celebrate young people, advocate and advance opportunities for improved socio-economic conditions for the youth of our nation," Ramaphosa said.

ABC News' Christine Theodorou contributed to this report.