A devastating explosion followed by a stampede at a high school in the capital of the Central African Republic has claimed the lives of 29 students and left more than 260 injured, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at Barthélémy Boganda High School in Bangui, where approximately 5,000 students had gathered to appear for exams. The explosion took place while technicians were attempting to restore power to a faulty transformer on the school campus, according to the country's Ministry of National Education.
In the aftermath of the blast, a stampede broke out, leading to chaos and multiple casualties. The Ministry of Health stated that 16 of the deceased were schoolgirls, many of whom died on the spot during the stampede. Others succumbed to their injuries in nearby hospitals.
At least 260 injured students are currently receiving medical treatment across various hospitals in Bangui. Authorities are continuing rescue and recovery operations while monitoring the condition of the wounded.
The incident has shocked the nation and sparked urgent questions about safety standards at educational institutions. Government officials have promised a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion and to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is expected to visit the site and meet with victims' families. A national day of mourning is likely to be declared in memory of the young lives lost.