On Wednesday, the second day of high-school finals, an explosion at an electricity transformer near a school in Bangui sent students, numbering nearly 6,000, fleeing in terror. Abel Assaye, a director at the local hospital, confirmed the death toll, which includes those taking the baccalaureate exam at Lycée Barthélémy Boganda. Over 280 others were injured in the chaos that followed, prompting President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to declare a national mourning period and ensure free medical care for the wounded.
The disaster occurred when power was restored to the transformer, which had been under repair. The sound of the explosion, coupled with smoke, created a panic among the students. In a statement, Education Minister Aurelien-Simplice Kongbelet-Zimgas expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and announced the suspension of remaining exams.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences. One student described feeling a daze as chaos unfolded; another, bloodied after fleeing through a window, recounted how many were trapped due to a cramped exit.
The Central African Republic has been grappling with ongoing political instability and security issues, as government forces, supported by Russian mercenaries, combat armed groups threatening the current administration.
The depth of this tragedy highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures in schools, especially during significant examinations, to prevent such catastrophic events from occurring in the future.
The disaster occurred when power was restored to the transformer, which had been under repair. The sound of the explosion, coupled with smoke, created a panic among the students. In a statement, Education Minister Aurelien-Simplice Kongbelet-Zimgas expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and announced the suspension of remaining exams.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences. One student described feeling a daze as chaos unfolded; another, bloodied after fleeing through a window, recounted how many were trapped due to a cramped exit.
The Central African Republic has been grappling with ongoing political instability and security issues, as government forces, supported by Russian mercenaries, combat armed groups threatening the current administration.
The depth of this tragedy highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures in schools, especially during significant examinations, to prevent such catastrophic events from occurring in the future.
