At least 22 people have been found dead inside a popular nightclub in East London, South Africa.

Early on Sunday morning, the police and paramedics were called to respond to the emergency which occurred at Enyobeni Tavern in the city.

A report by Daily Dispatch, said most of the victims were young adults aged between 18 and 20.

Relatives of the victims are still unable to see the bodies of their loved ones, while locals have called for the venue to be closed.

Spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Provincial Health Department, Siyanda Manana confirmed the incident to Reuters. He asked  relatives  to check the state mortuary to identify their bodies.

“We are going to immediately be embarking on autopsies so we can know the probable cause of death. We are talking about 22 bodies right now”, Manana told Reuters

Speculations at the tavern suggested exposure to poisonous substances as bodies were said to have been found on chairs. 

Also, some claimed there was stampede inside the tavern but a provincial community and safety department official Unathi Binqose ruled out.

Binqose told AFP that “it’s difficult to believe it’s a stampede as there are no visible open wounds to those dead”.

However, the police have said they will not be given to hearsays and speculations surrounding the incident.

“The incident is still under investigation, we do not want to make any speculations at this stage,” Tembinkosi Kinana, the police spokesperson, said.

The hotel has been surrounded by security operatives for further investigation.