Tragedy Strikes: 29 Students Die in Crush During Exam Panic in Central African Republic

In a heart-wrenching event in the Central African Republic, 29 students lost their lives in a panic-driven crush following an explosion during an exam, leaving a nation in mourning.

 

In a tragic turn of events, the Central African Republic (CAR) witnessed the deaths of 29 schoolchildren who were taking their baccalaureate exams in Bangui. The emotive incident unfolded during an explosion from an electricity transformer, which occurred right after power was restored and repairs had been conducted. The loud noise and ensuing smoke triggered a mass panic among approximately 6,000 students sitting their finals at the Lycée Barthélémy Boganda.

Abel Assaye, director of the Bangui community hospital, confirmed the casualty figures, with over 280 individuals also injured and requiring hospitalization. President Faustin-Archange Touadéra hastily declared a national mourning period and mandated that free medical care be provided for the injured.

The Education Ministry reported that five different schools had sent students for the exams. Following the tragic event, Education Minister Aurelien-Simplice Kongbelet-Zimgas offered condolences to the victims' families and announced an immediate suspension of further exams.

Survivors recounted the harrowing experience. One female student described losing her bearings amid the chaos, resulting in lasting pain and distress. Another student, Magloire, recounted the scene, stating that the narrow exit rendered escape impossible for many, turning a desperate escape into a scene of horror.

Amidst this tragedy, the CAR continues to grapple with ongoing political instability and security threats, as government forces, supported by Russian mercenaries, confront armed groups looking to destabilize the current administration. The loss of young lives at a moment that should have been a stepping stone towards their futures casts a shadow on the nation's hopes for recovery and growth.