South African authorities investigating the deaths of 21 teenagers at a nightclub on the East Coast over the weekend said today that the cause of death of the young men was probably something they ate, drank or smoked, and the possibility of a stampede was ruled out.

"It's either something they swallowed and poisoned, whether it was food or drink, or something they inhaled," said Unati Binkose, a spokesman for the Eastern Cape community security department.

He added that the possibility of a stampede is completely ruled out.

According to provincial police spokesman Tembinkosi Keenan, the youngest victim was a 13-year-old girl.

President Cyril Ramafoza said on Sunday he was concerned about the circumstances under which young people, including those under the age of 18, were allowed to gather at the club.

In South Africa it is forbidden to serve drinks to children under 18 years.