Bangui: A tragic stampede at a school in the Central African Republic has claimed the lives of 29 students who were appearing for exams. The chaos erupted after a loud explosion was heard near the school premises.
According to initial reports, the explosion originated from an electrical transformer located close to the school. The sound and subsequent smoke sparked panic among the more than 6,000 students present at the facility.
Local radio stations reported that the sudden noise caused widespread fear and confusion, leading to a frantic rush toward the school’s exit. Authorities say the main gate was too narrow to accommodate the large number of students trying to flee at once, resulting in a deadly crush.
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has declared a national day of mourning in memory of the victims. He also announced that all medical treatment for the more than 280 injured students will be provided free of charge in government hospitals.
Government officials are investigating the incident and have acknowledged the urgent need to reassess safety protocols in public institutions to prevent such tragedies in the future.
