A tragic incident unfolded in the Central African Republic’s capital, Bangui, when 29 students lost their lives in a stampede triggered by an explosion near an examination centre. The blast, which occurred during high school final exams, caused panic among nearly 6,000 students who were seated at Lycée Barthélémy Boganda, leading to a deadly crush.
The explosion took place at an electrical transformer located on the ground floor of the school’s main building. It is believed the transformer had recently been repaired, and the blast occurred shortly after power was restored. The loud noise and rising smoke caused mass panic among students who were in the middle of their history and geography exam. In the ensuing chaos, many attempted to flee through narrow exits, resulting in a fatal crush.
Students from five different schools had converged at the exam centre for the baccalaureate exams. Witnesses described scenes of confusion and fear as the explosion shattered the focus of the examination, triggering a desperate rush to escape. One survivor recalled escaping through a window and said students were terrified and trapped due to the limited exit space, leading to several injuries and deaths.
Medical authorities confirmed that over 280 people were injured and required hospitalization. In response, the government ordered that all those wounded in the incident receive free treatment at public health facilities. Hospitals were quickly overwhelmed as emergency services scrambled to treat those affected.
In the wake of the disaster, the government declared a national period of mourning. Flags will be flown at half-mast, and memorial activities are expected in honour of the young lives lost. The education ministry expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and extended best wishes for the recovery of those injured. All further examinations have been suspended until further notice.
The tragedy comes at a time when the Central African Republic continues to grapple with broader national challenges, including political instability and security threats. Government forces, with the support of international allies, remain engaged in conflicts with armed groups attempting to destabilize the country. Despite these challenges, the incident highlights the urgent need to improve safety standards in public institutions, particularly schools.
The loss of so many students on a day meant to mark a step forward in their academic journeys has left the nation in mourning and sparked renewed calls for accountability and improved emergency response infrastructure.
