10 killed in South Africa New Year's bar stampede

JOHANNESBURG – Police say 10 people have been killed in a stampede during the early hours of New Year's Day at a tavern in a South African township.

Police spokeswoman Adele Myburgh told The Associated Press that police Saturday could not confirm the cause of the stampede at a bar in the Ipelegeng township in the largely rural North West province.

Myburgh said the deceased have not been formally identified.

Provincial safety officials suspect some of those killed were below the country's 18-year-old legal drinking age, and urged police to investigate safety precautions taken by the tavern owner.

Official Desbo Mohono said the incident was "the worst New Year celebration disaster," in the province's history.

Authorities are appealing for calm in the small community.