Explosion and Stampede at CAR School Kill 29 Children
At least 29 students were killed and over 250 injured following a devastating explosion and stampede on Wednesday at Barthelemy Boganda High School in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, authorities confirmed Thursday.
According to the Ministry of National Education, the explosion occurred while power was being restored to a malfunctioning electrical transformer on the school premises. The blast triggered widespread panic among the 5,000 students gathered for higher-education exams.
The affected children, including 16 girls, were crushed in a stampede as they tried to flee, while others reportedly jumped from upper floors in desperation. Many students lost consciousness in the chaos, and some rushed to hospitals on motorcycles.
The Ministry of Health reported that at least 260 injured students are currently being treated in various medical facilities.
Anger quickly spread in the local community. Residents blamed government negligence, citing the poor maintenance of the electrical infrastructure. When officials visited the site, they were met with furious protests and were pelted with objects.
