A tragic incident in the Central African Republic (CAR) has claimed the lives of 29 students and left more than 280 others injured during national high school exams in the capital, Bangui. The disaster occurred on Wednesday during the baccalaureate exams at Lycée Barthélémy Boganda, where nearly 6,000 candidates from five schools had gathered.
The stampede was triggered by a sudden explosion at an electrical transformer located on the ground floor of the school’s main building. According to reports, the transformer had just resumed power following maintenance work when it exploded, causing a loud noise and a cloud of smoke. The ensuing panic led to chaos as students scrambled to flee the exam hall.
Abel Assaye, director of Bangui community hospital, confirmed the fatalities and described the panic that led to the deadly crush. One survivor recounted to Radio France Internationale (RFI) that students, desperate to escape, rushed towards a narrow exit door, leading to a bottleneck. “The students wanted to save their lives, and as they fled, they saw death because the door was really small. Not everyone could get out,” said Magloire, his face covered in blood.
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has declared a national mourning period in honor of the victims and ordered free medical treatment for the injured. The Education Minister, Aurelien-Simplice Kongbelet-Zimgas, expressed condolences to the bereaved families and announced the suspension of ongoing exams.
This tragedy comes amid ongoing turmoil in the country. The CAR remains gripped by political instability and conflict, with government forces—supported by Russian mercenaries—fighting against armed groups seeking to topple the Touadéra administration. The fragile security environment has placed immense strain on public institutions, including schools.
The explosion and its aftermath have sparked nationwide grief and raised concerns over safety standards in public buildings. As the nation mourns, attention turns to ensuring that such a catastrophic failure does not happen again—especially in spaces meant to be safe for learning and growth.
