A tragic incident occurred at the Lycée Barthélémy Boganda in Bangui, Central African Republic, where an explosion during a baccalaureate exam resulted in at least ten deaths and left over 280 people injured. The explosion happened shortly after power was restored to an electricity transformer that had been under repair.
The education ministry confirmed that students from five different schools were taking their exams when chaos erupted. Witnesses described a scene of panic as students rushed to escape, with many struggling to get through a small door. One student recounted how he climbed out of a window, covered in blood, after the blast.
In a statement, Education Minister Aurelien-Simplice Kongbelet-Zimgas expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and wished for a speedy recovery for those injured. He also announced the suspension of all further exams in light of the tragedy.
A female survivor shared her experience with the BBC, saying she couldn’t remember the explosion but felt a sharp pain in her pelvis afterward. Another student, Magloire, described the moment of the explosion during the history and geography exam, noting that many students were terrified and desperate to escape.
The Central African Republic is currently facing ongoing political instability and security issues, with government forces, supported by Russian mercenaries, fighting against armed groups that threaten the administration of President Touadéra.
This incident adds to the challenges the country faces, highlighting the precarious situation for its citizens, especially in educational settings.