Tragic Stampede Claims Lives at Bangui School During Exams

A devastating incident occurred at a high school in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, where a stampede resulted in the deaths of at least 29 students during their baccalaureate exams. The chaos was triggered by the explosion of an electrical transformer, which caused panic among the approximately 5,300 students present at Barthelemy Boganda High School.

As students rushed to escape the unfolding situation, many were seen jumping from the first floor of the school building in a desperate attempt to flee. Tragically, most of the victims, including 16 girls, succumbed to their injuries at the scene, and approximately 260 other students were treated for various injuries as emergency services struggled to manage the influx of casualties.

A source from the Health Ministry reported that the local hospital was overwhelmed with patients, hindering the ability of medical staff and ambulances to provide timely care.

In response to this heartbreaking event, President Faustin Archange Touadera, who was attending a vaccine summit in Brussels at the time, announced a three-day national mourning period. He expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased students and the educational community through a video message shared on social media.

Education Minister Aurelien-Simplice Kongbelet-Zingas also addressed the nation, stating that swift measures would be implemented to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident. He indicated that an announcement regarding the rescheduling of the exams would be made in due course.

This catastrophic event has sent shockwaves throughout the nation, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by educational institutions in the region, particularly in terms of infrastructure and emergency preparedness.