Tragic Explosion Leads to Death of 29 Students in Central African Republic

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a blast near an electricity transformer triggered chaos at a high school in Bangui, leading to the loss of 29 young lives and injuries to over 280 others. The incident unfolded as students were taking their baccalaureate exams on Wednesday, igniting a mass panic that caused a dangerous crush as nearly 6,000 candidates attempted to escape. Abel Assaye, a hospital director, confirmed the fatalities.

President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has declared a national mourning period and mandated free medical treatment for the injured. The explosion occurred shortly after power was restored to the transformer that had been under repair, prompting immediate attention from the Education Ministry. Minister Aurelien-Simplice Kongbelet-Zimgas expressed condolences to the families of the victims and announced the suspension of further exams.

Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, with one student describing a daze enveloping her as she heard the explosion, while another recounted the horrifying scene of students struggling to escape through a small door. This tragedy highlights the ongoing political instability and security challenges faced in the region, with armed groups posing threats to the government's stability.

The community mourns its young victims while seeking to understand the circumstances that led to this calamity.