At least 29 schoolchildren have been confirmed dead and more than 250 others injured following an explosion and subsequent stampede at a high school in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), authorities announced on Thursday.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday at Barthelemy Boganda High School while technicians were restoring power to a malfunctioning electrical transformer on the school premises, according to a statement from the Ministry of National Education.
The explosion triggered widespread panic among students, leading to a deadly stampede. The Ministry of Health confirmed that most of the victims — including 16 girls — died at the scene, while others succumbed to injuries at various hospitals.
“At least 260 students are currently receiving treatment in multiple health facilities across the capital,” the Health Ministry added.
Authorities say investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the explosion and to prevent future occurrences. The government has extended condolences to the families of the victims and pledged support for the injured.
