At least 29 students killed & over 250 injured in horror explosion and stampede at high school during exam
Students were in the middle of an exam on Wednesday when an electrical transformer exploded in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.
Advertisement
3
At least 29 students have been killed and 250 injured
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
3
The incident occurred at Barthelemy Boganda High School
Credit: X / @MSF_USA
The incident occurred at Barthelemy Boganda High School, where over 5,300 students were gathered for the second day of their national baccalaureate examinations.
Most of the victims, including 16 girls, tragically died at the scene after the explosion resulted in a stampede, while others were confirmed dead at the hospital, the Ministry of
Health
said in a statement.
The explosion happened as technicians were working to restore a faulty electrical transformer on the school grounds, according to the Ministry of Education.
Alvin Yaligao, one of the students, recalled: "The building shook and we were all terrified.
Advertisement
read more news
"It was everyone man for himself."
Survivors have also recalled hearing a loud explosion from the transformer midway into the examination, causing chaos to unfold.
Some of the victims died after jumping out of the building while others were killed in the stampede at the crowded entrance to the upper floors in an attempt to escape.
Many other students fainted amid the chaos and were rushed to the hospital, some of them transported on motorbikes.
Advertisement
Most read in The US Sun
Authorities believe panic from the blast triggered a chaotic stampede, which then caused most of the fatalities and injuries.
Emergency responders arrived promptly and transported the injured to nearby hospitals.
At least 18 people killed in stampede at station as thousands push to board train on way to Indian religious festival
Many people in the area were angered by the tragic incident, accusing the government of negligence for not handling the problems with the electrical transformer.
Government officials and workers who arrived at the scene were pelted with different objects by furious residents.
Advertisement
President of the school's parents' association, Gdon Cyr Ngass, has called for an investigation into the tragedy, adding: "We deplore this incident which was caused by a lack of maintenance."
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has declared a period of national mourning in honour of the victims.
Investigators are currently working to determine the precise cause of the explosion and whether any safety protocols were breached.
3
Students were in the middle of an exam on Wednesday when an electrical transformer exploded
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
5 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Hundreds of members of the Indian community hold silent protest in Dublin after shocking recent assault on man
HUNDREDS of members of the Indian community held a silent protest outside the Department of Justice in Dublin. The vigil was held in solidarity with the victim of a violent and unprovoked assault in 5 Hundred's have gathered to protest outside the Department of Justice in Dublin Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 It follows a shocking recent assault on an Indian man in Tallaght last week Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 The protest was organised by members of the migrant community to demand for justice Credit: Getty Images - Getty A petition was handed in calling for greater action with hate-related crimes. The incident happened on Friday 19 July at around 6pm in Parkhill Lawns, Kilnamanagh, Dublin 24. During the attack, the gang stripped him from the waist down and left him bloodied and distressed on the street. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS The assailants took his clothing and fled the scene before It's believed the victim had only been in Ireland for a week and had just begun working with a tech firm in Dublin. The attack has sparked outrage within the Indian community with organisers of the vigil handing a petition to the And they said they want better systems in place to prosecute such offences and protect vulnerable people. MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN Among those who spoke at the event was Jennifer Murray, a local woman who stepped in to help the man after the assault. Also speaking was Shashank Chakerwart, who said it was vital for the Indian community to stand together in moments like this. Speaking to "It most certainly isn't an isolated incident, because there are so many migrant communities have been impacted by these violent teenage gangs.' Another 'If you react, they will do more to you' She said: 'These are mostly teenagers, I would say, or people of a younger age, between 10 and 20. You go out to get groceries or to go for a stroll, and these youngsters try to bully you. "You can not react, because if you react, they will do more to you. On and off, it keeps on happening. "We are not really free, in our heads, to go walking late, or do things in the evenings. Any time I'm in the office late, I'm really scared." The vigil drew broad support, including politicians who condemned the attack and are now calling for the prosecution of those responsible. A second anti-racism vigil was held in Tallaght later this evening, with small number of counter-protesters seen at the edge of the gathering without disrupting the event. So far, no one has been arrested and an appeal for witnesses remains open. 5 Protest organisers handed a petition to the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 An investigation into the assault is currently underway by Gardai Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
‘I'm afraid for my children' – Hundreds attend anti-racism protest outside the Dáil following brutal attack in Tallaght
Hundreds gathered outside the Dáil today in solidarity against racist violence, following a brutal, unprovoked attack on an Indian national in Tallaght last week. Organised by members of Ireland's migrant community, the protest called attention to a growing sense of fear and vulnerability among immigrants, and demanded urgent action from the government. The victim, an Indian man in his 40s, had arrived in Ireland weeks before the incident, and was attacked at Parkhill Lawns in the Kilnamanagh area around 6pm on Saturday, July 19. Gardaí have confirmed they are currently investigating the assault. A vigil was also held in Tallaght last night, drawing significant support from the Indian community. Ajay Shaji, attending the protest as a member of Migrant Nurses Ireland, described the incident as "shocking" and deeply traumatic for the wider migrant community. 'The migrant community was under stress and really shocked at the news,' he said. 'I don't know how traumatic it must be for him. He was here for [just weeks] and had to go through something like that. There are no words to explain it.' Kavi Raj, an Indian national living in Tallaght, called the incident 'horrifying' and explained that attacks like this need to be addressed at government level. 'We live in Tallaght - we are afraid to walk outside,' he said. "Immigrants and Irish people can live side by side, hand in hand,' Kavi said. Shinith Ak, who has lived in Kilkenny since 2009, said the attack left him 'ashamed.' ADVERTISEMENT 'One of my family members was attacked, and when I told my hometown back in India, they said, 'Come back – you're not safe there.'' Rofayda Mohamed, a mother who also attended the protest, expressed her growing fear for her children. 'The hate is rising. I was horrified, shocked, actually - that this can happen on our streets' she said. 'I'm afraid for my children, to go out, to play. This is not acceptable.' Speaking at the protest, Dublin West TD Ruth Coppinger called the attack 'repulsive'. 'These attacks are not isolated. They're under-reported and under-investigated,' she said. 'We keep hearing stories from the migrant community, from people of colour in Ireland, about attacks like this.' Ms Coppinger stressed the need for community-based, anti-racist networks and policies that address the root causes of social tension – including the housing crisis. Gardaí have appealed to the public not to share or repost social media footage related to the attack, as their investigation continues. Related topics Chloe McPolin
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Hundreds attend anti-racism protest outside the Dáil following brutal attack in Tallaght
Hundreds gathered outside the Dáil today in solidarity against racist violence, following a brutal, unprovoked attack on an Indian national in Tallaght.
