Initiation candidate dies after hut fire in Lusikisiki

A 17 year old initiation candidate has died after sustaining severe burn injuries when his initiation hut caught fire in the Lusikisiki area of the Eastern Cape.

The incident reportedly occurred at Nkunzimbini village in the Ngquza Hill area.

According to information received, the teenager was asleep inside his initiation hut when the fire broke out. The flames are believed to have spread rapidly because of the large amount of dry grass inside the hut.

It is understood that initiation candidates in the area are at a stage where they are permitted to leave the initiation site to hunt wild animals. However, the deceased was reportedly asleep in his hut at the time of the incident.

Another initiation candidate reportedly heard his cries for help and rushed to rescue him. Although the rescue was successful, the injured teenager later succumbed to his burn wounds in hospital.

The second initiation candidate, who attempted the rescue, also suffered serious burn injuries but survived.

The circumstances surrounding the fire have not yet been confirmed, and it is not immediately clear whether authorities have opened an investigation.