In a devastating turn of events in the Central African Republic, twenty-nine students lost their lives in a catastrophic crush at a school in Bangui, following a nearby explosion that sparked widespread panic during the high-school final examinations. The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, the second day of the baccalaureate, transforming what should have been a day of academic achievement into a scene of chaos and sorrow.

According to Abel Assaye, Director of Bangui Community Hospital, the explosion was localized at an electricity transformer on the ground floor of the Lycée Barthélémy Boganda, where almost 6,000 students from five different schools had gathered to sit their exams. The blast, which occurred after power was restored to the transformer that had been under repair, unleashed a loud noise accompanied by smoke, provoked immediate panic among the examinees.

The sudden chaos led to a frantic rush towards safety, but the overwhelming numbers of students and the cramped conditions of the school’s exits proved disastrous. Witnesses describe a harrowing scene — students desperately trying to escape through narrow exits, with some stalling or getting trapped beneath the frantic crowd. 

The Ministry of Education swiftly responded, with Education Minister Aurelien-Simplice Kongbelet-Zimgas expressing profound sorrow over the tragedy. He extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and announced a suspension of all remaining exams. In addition, the government declared a period of national mourning and ordered that the more than 280 injured students receive free, urgent medical treatment.

Survivors recount the chaos. Magloire, a student who escaped through a window, described the terrifying moments during the explosion. Covered in blood, he recounted to Radio France Internationale that the blast had erupted amidst a history and geography exam. “The students wanted to save their lives, and as they fled, they saw death because there were so many people and the door was really small. Not everyone could get out,” he said, his voice trembling with the trauma of the experience.

The incident underscores ongoing instability within the nation, which is grappling with persistent political unrest and security threats. The government, supported by Russian mercenaries, continues to fight armed factions accused of attempting to overthrow President Faustin-Archange Touadéra’s administration.

President Touadéra has condemned the tragedy, ordering a national day of mourning and emphasizing the need for improved safety measures in educational institutions across the country. The nation now mourns the lives lost and hopes for swift recovery and justice in the wake of this heartbreaking calamity.