Tragedy Strikes as 29 Students Die in Exam Hall Crush Following Explosion in Central Africa

A tragic incident during high-school exams in the Central African Republic has led to the reported deaths of 29 students after an explosion triggered chaos, sending hundreds to the hospital.

More than 280 people were injured in the panic that ensued after an explosion near the Lycée Barthélémy Boganda in Bangui, according to hospital officials. The blast, which was linked to a malfunctioning electricity transformer undergoing repairs, created a chaotic environment for the nearly 6,000 students sitting for their baccalaureate exams.

"People rushed to escape, causing a stampede in the already packed exam room," detailed Abel Assaye, director of the Bangui community hospital. Witnesses recounted a scene of terror as students, startled by the explosion's sound and smoke, sought the quickest exit.

President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has declared a national day of mourning and mandated that the treatment for the injured be provided at no cost. Education Minister Aurelien-Simplice Kongbelet-Zimgas expressed his condolences to the families affected and announced the suspension of all ongoing exams due to the tragedy.

Survivor accounts detail the confusion and fear that permeated the exam room. A female student recounted, "I don’t even remember what happened...I immediately fell into a daze." Another student shared graphic details of climbing out a window while others struggled to escape through the small doorway, highlighting the chaos that transpired amidst the panic.

This devastating event occurs against a backdrop of ongoing political and security challenges in the Central African Republic, as government forces continue to confront various armed groups raising alarms over the stability of Touadéra's administration.