A dance hall crowded with celebrating students erupted into chaos Friday when someone threw a tear gas canister into the room, killing 13 youths and injuring 44.
Some 600 students were at an afternoon party at the Throb Nightclub in suburban Durban when tear gas suddenly filled the room, causing students to rush out in panic, said fire department spokesman Jay Kanniappen.
Authorities have not released details on how the 13 died. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Bala Naidoo said a brick wall collapsed during the chaos.
Police suspect that one of the students was responsible for releasing the tear gas, he said.
Kevin Govender, 19, is a regular at the club and was there Friday.
“About three to four songs had been played when suddenly people started screaming, pushing and running towards the doorway. I didn’t know what was happening, but found that I couldn’t breathe,” he said.
“I was forced to join the scramble to get out of the club as fast as I could.”
