Western Cape forensic services record 639 deaths over festive period

Forensic pathology services in the Western Cape have recorded 639 deaths between December and January 2nd.

Chief operating officer for the Western Cape department of health and wellness department Doctor Saadiq Kariem said 253 of those cases were homicide related.

"These homicide fatalities included 101 people who died from gunshot wounds and 96 people who died from fatal stabbings. There were also 85 road traffic fatalities which included five cyclists," said Kariem.  

Kariem shared some more statistics.

"There were 46 people who committed suicide, 56 people died from blunt trauma and there were sixteen drownings during this two-week period," said Kariem